2023 Grad Spotlight: Adam Buchanan

Gaston College and the 49erNext program are giving Adam Buchanan the opportunity to get the education and the training he needs to pursue a career as an electrical engineer. Adam graduated from Gaston in May with an associate degree in engineering and science and will go on to study electrical engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 

While Adam started his college career at a four-year university, the cost of tuition was prohibitive. He decided to save money by enrolling in Gaston College and joined the 49erNext program for students who plan to transfer to UNC-C to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The Transfer Admission Guarantee, or TAG, program promotes student success by offering collaborative advising that helps students progress toward timely degree completion, coordinated financial aid planning, and career advising. He will enter UNC-C as a junior. If he continues his education beyond his bachelor’s degree, he would like to attend either UNC-C or NC State. 

In addition to the benefits of the TAG program, Adam got on-the-job training by interning with Bosch in Lincolnton as part of Gaston College’s Work-based Learning office. “The internship helped me get a general feel for the engineering work environment,” he said. “It has definitely helped me understand what I will get into when I work as an electrical engineer.” His goal is to work at either Duke Power, Rutherford Electric, or NASA. 

“Overall, I enjoyed my time at Gaston College,” said Adam. “The 49erNext program was great. Alyson Jordan [lead academic advisor at the College] was very helpful and is always there if you need her. I feel that the program did a good job of readying me for my years at UNC-C.”