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Show 6 | MyWeberMedia.com| November 29, 2018 AUBREE ECKHARDT | The Signpost HILL AFB LIFTS STUDENTS TO HIGHER EDUCATION By KAINOA NUNEZ S&T Reporter Weber State University College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology students can apply for the Science and Engineering PALACE Acquire (S&E, PAQ) program offered through Hill Air Force Base. HAFB will pay selected students’ full-time tuition toward a master’s degree for three semesters before students begin jobs in their specialized fields. Professor Faith Satterthwaite, computer science instructor in the college of EAST, said it’s usually for students majoring in engineering but can also apply to any science majors who satisfy the requirements. “Once you are accepted into the program, you are required to complete separate tiers to pursue your BS or master’s degree,” Satterthwaite said. Focusing on careers in the Air Force, the PAQ program offers qualified BS graduates a well-planned three-year development and training program, which includes one year of graduate studies relating to state-of-the-art technology. According to the website, the first and third year of the program involve work experience while the second year is dedicated to graduate studies. During the second year, participants are paid a full salary while all tuition, fees and books are paid for by the Air Force. At the end of each year of the developmental period, candidates are promoted to the next pay grade. Finally, at the end of the program, candidates will be promoted to a journeyman-level engineering or science position, enabling them to work on projects and solve problems independently or as a part of a multidisciplinary team. Jennifer Crouch, senior engineer for HAFB and Satterthwaite’s colleague, said she was nervous before signing up for the PAQ program because managing work, life and school was already tough. “Your GPA is a big deal to these guys, and they don’t take anybody who isn’t studying in science,” Crouch said. After graduating with a bachelors degree from WSU in 2013, Crouch went directly into the program studying cybersecurity. “The amazing part about this program is that they helped me to pay off my loans,” Crouch said. Austin Schilz, a computer science and German major from Gering, Nebraska, earned a three-year scholarship from the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation Schol- arship for Service Program, which guarantees career placement following graduation. Schilz is beyond excited for the opportunity. “Now I’m going to get a job I want, and it’s really cool to work for the Department of Defense,” Schilz said. Schilz traveled to HAFB to learn more about the internships he’ll complete in the next three years. He’ll spend eight to 12 weeks each summer working with other programmers on the continuous computer framework updates needed for the F-16s. Satterthwaite signed up for the PAQ program when she was a senior. “I just wanted to get the experience, and it was something I wanted to do after graduation,” Satterthwaite said. The S&E PAQ programs are looking for highly-qualified individuals outside the Air Force and future leaders, innovative scientists and engineers. Interested students can find the application on the Air Force STEM section of the civilian careers website. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com |