James Bergren

"I was a PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options) student from Lake Park Audubon High School who attended M State five days a week, in the mornings until about noon or 1 p.m., and then went to work in the afternoons. I got one year of the two-year Diesel program out of the way while still in high school, and am finishing the program here at M State this year. It’s all paid for by the high school. Once I’m done, I’ll be certified and I can go anywhere. 

This program is allowing me to be in the workforce a whole year sooner than a lot of other people my age; it gives me an upper hand. 

I’ve always been interested in diesel. I grew up on a farm and I’ve been around tractors, semis – anything with a diesel motor, I’ve been around it. I came to M State because it was the closest Diesel program around, and I thought it was better to be here than sitting in a high school all day. I like the instructors here. There are a lot of people to learn from, and I learn new things all the time. It’s just a good program overall."