SGTC Aircraft Structural Alumna Makayla McCants encouraging others to follow in her footsteps
Makayla McCants of Oglethorpe, signed up for the Aircraft Structural Technology program at South Georgia Technical College as soon as she graduated from Macon County High School. She graduated from SGTC in 2022 and since that time, her career has taken off. She is currently working as a WG8 Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic at the Warner Robins Air Force Base.
She is also sharing her knowledge and experience with others in her home town, encouraging them to attend South Georgia Technical College and sign up for the Aircraft Structural Technology program. Iyonna Hall of Montezuma, a graduating senior from Macon County High School, chose to do her Capstone Project on Makayla McCants. The two visited SGTC recently and toured the Aircraft Structural Technology program area and visited with SGTC Instructor Jason Wisham.
“Makayla just inspired me a lot,” said Hall. “I saw her posts on Facebook and I asked her if I could do my Capstone Project on her. She agreed and here we are.” The two are not related, but Hall felt like this was something she wanted to look into and learn more about.
“I love my job,” said McCants. “My goal had always been to get a job at Warner Robins Air Force Base.” And within less than five months after graduation she had landed that dream job. She graduated from the Aircraft Structural Technology program on December 8, 2022 and by the time she walked at graduation, she had been working at Thrush Aircraft in Albany for nearly three months. In less than six months, she was employed at Warner Robins Air Force base.
“This is a great field if you like working with your hands,” said McCants. “It is a good career and you can make great money. You learn something new everyday and the work is interesting. It engages your hands and your mind. I would and do recommend South Georgia Technical College and the Aircraft Structural Technology program to anyone who is interested in finding the career of a lifetime. This is a career you can retire from.”
“Makayla had a plan,” said SGTC Aircraft Structural Technology Instructor Jason Wisham. “Her primary goal was to get a job on the base and now she has achieved that goal and has already been promoted. She knew what she wanted and she did what she needed to do to accomplish her goal. She didn’t take the summers off, she went straight through and she was an excellent student.”
McCants distinguished herself at South Georgia Technical College. She was a Presidential Honor Graduate (GPA 3.90 – 4.0), the winner of the SGTC Foundation Gulf Coast Avionics Scholarship, a National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) member, SGTC Student of Excellence, and very active in student leadership activities.
“I like working with my hands,” said McCants when asked why she choose South Georgia Technical College to continue her education. She also mentioned that she had an aunt that works at the Warner Robins Air Force Base and she inspired her to learn to earn at South Georgia Tech.
“My aunt Gwendolyn Allen works at the base and she really inspired me to go after this dream,” explained McCants, who also added that she had tremendous support from her family especially her mom and dad, Latonya and Milton McCants of Oglethorpe. “The first day I came to class I was hooked. Then when I got into the lab and actually started learning how to rivet, I knew I had made the right decision.” She also gave credit to Mrs. Jacqueline Brown of Montezuma who also works at base for inspiring her.
McCants gave this advice to other students interested in learning to earn with their hands and their minds. “First you have got to want to do it. Find something you love and then work hard, study, and pray about it. Mr. Wisham is a great instructor. He is very knowledgeable and helpful. He pushes you to be the best you can be and works to make sure you understand the material.”
She also added that it helps if you are motivated to excel. She said take a chance and get enrolled in the program and take advantage of all the opportunities at South Georgia Technical College. “If you do that you will succeed,” laughed McCants.
SGTC Aircraft Instructor Jason Wisham had some great words of praise for his former student. “Makayla was an excellent student. I am very proud of her and her accomplishments and I think she is going to continue to great things. I wish I had 10 more students with her passion and drive. She was also great at helping other students. She is a leader and the Warner Robins Air Force Base now has a great employee. I was very appreciative of having a student like her in my classes and now I am even more proud of her as a graduate.”
And the time, she spent working with other students helped her fix her sights on her next goal. “I would like to become a trainer,” said McCants. “I have returned to South Georgia Technical College and am enrolled in the Business Technology program online so I can get my associate degree and climb up the ladder at Warner Robins Air Force Base.” She also received a scholarship from the SGTC Foundation for her excellent grades in that program.
South Georgia Technical College offers over 200 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit programs of study. SGTC also provides the “Complete College Experience” with on-campus housing and nationally ranked intercollegiate academics, athletics, and student activities.
The SGTC Aircraft Structural Technology program is four semesters in length and students have tremendous opportunities to earn approximately $20 – $25 an hour after graduation. Students interested in learning more about the Aircraft Structural Technology program can contact Jason Wisham at jwisham2@southgatech.edu.
To apply, visit the SGTC website at www.southgatech.edu or contact Admissions Director Candie Walters at cwalters@southgatech.edu or 229-931-2200 or Admissions Coordinator Hunter Little in Cordele at 229-271-4051. SGTC is currently accepting applications for an eight-week mini-mester this summer. Classes begin May 23. It is not too late to get started on a great career.