Amanda Andrews, a second-year student in the photonics and laser technology program at Gallatin College Montana State University, has received an international scholarship recognizing her achievements as she transitions to a new career. Andrews was named one of four North American recipients of the Eichenholz-SPIE Photonics Technician Scholarship, which provides $2,500 to students pursuing careers in photonics and optics.
Andrews, who previously earned degrees in music and music education from Illinois Wesleyan University and Northeastern Illinois University, decided to return to school after more than a decade working in K-12 music education. She cited job security concerns and limited opportunities as factors that led her to seek a more stable career. “I’m pushing myself to do something that’s really outside my comfort zone, both in terms of the subject matter and where I’m at in my life in coming back to school,” Andrews said. “I feel like it makes me a great role model to my daughter to show her more female faces in STEM and by having good payoff at the end of the program with a strong career.”
Her interest in photonics was sparked by meeting a retired industry professional on a ski trip. Now studying at Gallatin College MSU, Andrews is part of a field that plays an important role in technologies such as self-driving cars and wildfire detection systems. Southwest Montana is noted for its high concentration of optics and photonics companies per capita.
Financial support is available for many students at Gallatin College MSU. Last year, about $109,000 was awarded through Cat Scholarships to 103 students, according to Assistant Dean Nicole Berg. Students can receive assistance with applications and essays from the college’s career coaches. “It just gives that extra piece of help to say, ‘I can finish this, I can do this and this is going to boost my confidence to be able to finish what I started,’” Berg said.
Andrews balances coursework with family responsibilities while also performing occasionally with her band. She credits improved time management skills and supportive professors for her success upon returning as a student.
Mark Craig, program director of photonics and laser technology at Gallatin College MSU, praised Andrews’ dedication: “Amanda embodies what our students represent,” he said. “A lot of our students are motivated to learn something new, particularly in high-tech industries. She’s focused on what she wants to get out of the program, and her work ethic is admirable.”
The program emphasizes hands-on learning; students begin with theory before applying their knowledge through projects such as building circuits or programming robotic vehicles. In advanced courses, they construct lasers under supervision using safety equipment.
“That’s the nature of technician work that people who graduate from this program will do,” Andrews explained. “We’ll be given a box of components and a schematic sheet, and told, ‘Build the thing on here, test it, make sure everything’s aligned, document your data and get your higher-up engineer to sign off on it.’”
Andrews has participated in several local industry tours and plans to pursue an internship next spring. Graduates from Gallatin College MSU’s photonics program often earn starting salaries up to $65,000 annually.
“I’m not even done with the program, but I send resumes, and I’m getting emails or phone calls saying, ‘Can we interview you?’ And we’re having recruiters who come into my classrooms and say, ‘Hey, think about us for a summer internship or when you graduate,’” Andrews said. “And that feels really powerful.”
