Max V. joined New Century Careers’ MANUFACTURING 2000 (M2K) program in February 2025 after discovering it through a simple Google search. Having enrolled in college straight out of high school for mechanical engineering, Max expected a more hands-on learning experience. When that wasn’t the case, he began exploring other paths that would let him work more directly with machines.
A previous class at a technical training institute introduced him to machining, and that’s where things started to click. “I had experience with a mill and lathe, and I ended up loving it,” Max said.
Throughout his time in the M2K program, Max found that the classroom work helped bridge the gap between theory and practice, preparing him for what he’d encounter on the job. He appreciated how the program gave him a clearer picture of what it’s like to work in a machine shop setting.
When asked if he’d recommend the program to others, Max replied, “Yes, because you learn a lot in a very short period of time,” he shared. His advice for future students? “Take advantage of what’s being offered.” One highlight for him was completing the large lathe project, which stood out as his favorite.
Now, Max is beginning his career in the field at Prion Manufacturing. His immediate goal is to stay focused, pay off his student loans from when he attended college, and continue working toward a future as a CNC programmer.
Max explored different paths, learned what worked for him, and took the initiative to pursue something that aligned with his interests. With the support he received from the M2K program, he’s now building a career that offers both challenge and direction.
