Sumter's Next Generation, presented by CCTC: Brenden Weeks talks charting successful engineering path at CCTC

At just 19 years old, Brenden Weeks has carved out a path that many his age are still figuring out.

A graduate of Manning High School, where he was part of the top 10% in the 2023 graduating class and played football, he was drawn into a world of technology that he never thought would shape his future.

It began his junior year. Offered the chance to enroll in CCTC's dual-enrollment program, which allows high school students the opportunity to take college classes while still enrolled in high school, Brenden figured it was a way to keep his mind working after completing the majority of his high school courses. He would soon start to explore more through the technical college, visiting its various program departments - including touring the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Training Center with retired advisor Richard Laverne.

"He walked me around this campus, walked me around the lab, walked me around all these printers. And I was just as scared as y'all are with how expensive they are; I did not want to get near them," Brenden said. "But he gave me a little taste of [what the program was like], and I bit the hook, and I've been latched on since."

Brenden's interest in engineering wasn't entirely random. His father, who works in the homebuilders' supply industry, exposed him to the field of taking things from nothing to something. But Brenden had more interest in the technological side of the industry.

His love for the technological world blossomed at CCTC. Engineering design technology students are introduced to various design aspects of architectural, mechanical, electrical and more. Brenden, interested in all, thrived on delving deep into advanced programs like SolidWorks and AutoCAD, which allows him to design and prototype anything in 3D. His skills have been put to the test numerous times, from recreating half of a miniature fridge door for classwork to helping his professors with projects of their own - all using 3D printing. He put himself out there by asking questions to put him a step ahead of the rest, and it paid off.

"This program has great teachers, but you're your own teacher here," Brenden expressed. "If you put in the work to learn, you're going to set yourself up for success."

And success can vary from student to student. For Brenden, securing an internship with a local safety equipment company is a success as well as a stepping stone. He is using what he's learned at CCTC to successfully design specialized equipment to access the top of rail cars, ensuring that they meet OSHA safety standards. But, on a deeper level, CCTC's program has taught him life lessons on communication and socializing in a predominantly independent field that he deems priceless.

For many high school students, the pressure to figure out their future is overwhelming - Brendon has been there, done that and would beg to differ.

"I had no clue what I wanted to do in high school, and everybody in high school really pushes you to make your mind up. You don't have to know; you don't have to know at all," he said. "You only have to go into something, see if you like it and roll with it from there. My recommendation would be just throwing yourself out there."

As for his next steps, Brenden isn't ruling out the possibility of attending a four-year university in the future; his engineering buddies at work have encouraged him to further his knowledge and his chances at a great career.

For now, Brenden is focused on honing his skills and gaining all the hands-on experience, knowing that each day brings new opportunities to learn. He's confident that whatever path he chooses next, the foundation he's building at CCTC will support his future success.