Since wind turbines started being built in her area in Illinois, Amber Arnette has been intrigued. 

“I never put much thought into how they work until my husband became a Wind Tech back in September 2019,” Arnette said. “After hearing about his work every day, I started thinking maybe this is something I wanted to do.”

She did some research and found PCI’s online Wind Turbine Technician program and requested information for it. Within a day or two she received a call from PCI and signed up for the program. 

Amber recently graduated from the Wind Turbine Technician program with straight A’s, but her journey through the program was not always easy.

“I worked hard… I had moments where I was struggling or couldn’t grasp the concept of something and wanted to just give up,” Arnette said. 

Her greatest obstacle came when her dad was in the hospital on a ventilator for a week and she completely lost focus; she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to get through and pass the class.

“A week doesn't seem very long for some, but this was the longest, hardest week of my life. It's hard to see any family member ill, but to see them sedated with a tube down their throat, unable to see you or talk to you, is unimaginable. During this time, I attempted to do school work but I just couldn't. My dad is my world and he was my only focus. I couldn't think of or care about anything else, just for my dad to get better. I fell behind in my studies, discussions, assignments, everything and I was afraid I was going to fail. So, I reached out to my instructors and student services. As my dad got better, I was able to put my focus back on school. It was hard and took some time, but I was able to get caught up and back on track.”

This was not the first time she had tried furthering her education and encountered an obstacle, but it was the first time she stuck with it. Arnette believes this is a sign that she was meant to be a wind turbine technician, because she faced struggles during other education attempts and did not finish, but during her WTT program at PCI, Arnette said, “this time, even with the struggles I faced, I not only finished, but I conquered. I have completed the WTT program, with straight A’s and high honors. Self-will and determination!”

Her favorite part of the program was her hands-on training at boot camp and she plans to continue her education at PCI with the Wind Energy Technology Associate of Occupational Studies program. Her goal is to get on with a local site to gain experience for a couple of years before becoming a traveling WindTech team with her husband. She hopes to further her knowledge and education and eventually become a part of the planning and construction of wind farms.

Arnette offered some words of encouragement to other students who might be going through a difficult time in their programs: “What's meant to be will be, you will have struggles and face different obstacles, but when it happens and you get knocked down, you get up, dust yourself off, and put your best foot forward. Communication is key! When you have these struggles and obstacles, always reach out to your instructors and other PCI staff. They are awesome, very understanding, and will do what needs to be done so that you CAN succeed!!”

Congratulations to Amber Arnette and the rest of PCI’s most recent graduates!