At a glance
“The best part of the program is that you get so much experience. They try to simulate real world situations. The instructors have so much experience. They have answers for pretty much every scenario that me and my classmates have. We are always learning something new.”
Farhad Begaliev
Farhad Begaliev (Manchester, NY) wanted to learn skills that would lead him to a rewarding hands-on career. His path led him to Alfred State and the Automotive Service Technician program where he is excited for what the future holds.
“I chose Alfred State because they have one of the greatest hands-on programs. I am not the type of person that would sit down at a desk for multiple hours. I would rather be in the shop with all this equipment and work with cars.”
Watch Farad's PioneerPROfile video
Farhad has been interested in cars since he was a kid. “I always wanted to help my family out. I grew up in a family with only one vehicle and it was always broken down.”
Entering the program at Alfred State, Farhad had little actual background working on cars. “The best part of the program is that you get so much experience. They try to simulate real world situations. The instructors have so much experience. They have answers for pretty much every scenario that me and my classmates have. We are always learning something new.”
After attending one of the Career Fairs on campus, Farhad was able to secure a summer job to build on the experience he had in the classroom. “I found an employer to hire me, and I gained the experience.”
The knowledge he has gained at Alfred State and in the workplace has helped him land a job starting right after graduation.
On campus, Farhad enjoys his job as a student ambassador where he interacts and gives prospective students and their families tours of the automotive department. “I bring them into the lab, and they see the equipment and they talk to the faculty and their eyes just light up.”
Farhad encourages prospective students to explore the hands-on options offered at Alfred State even if they have no experience in the field. “Do not be afraid if you have never had experience. You can come here with no experience and be at the top of the class.”
Alfred State has helped Farhad accelerate his learning and he is driving towards a great career.