Justin Rounds | 2000 Ag Power and Equipment Technician
We are so proud of our graduates who have a long, rich history of a Southwest Tech education. This is the case with Justin Rounds, a 2000 Ag Power and Equipment Technician alum who just finished his first year teaching in the Ag Power program. Here’s Justin’s Southwest Tech story:
• Choosing Southwest Tech was easy. We have a long line of Southwest Tech graduates in my family and the college has definitely made a lasting impact on me and my family. My dad, Jim, was in the first graduating class of Auto/Tractor in 1969 and Tractor Repair in 1970, which is now our Ag Power program. My brother, Jeremy graduated from the Ag Power program in 1996 and his wife, Courtney graduated from the Legal Secretary program in 1997. I learned from them that their Southwest Tech education was very helpful and would help set me up for the career path I wanted to take as a service technician at an ag implement dealership. I graduated from the Ag Power program in 2000, followed by my sister, Jeanna from the Cosmetology program and brother-in-law Dustin from Ag Power, both in 2005. Now I have two nephews in the Ag Power program; Wyatt in his first year and Cooper, who will be entering this fall. That’s a lot of Ag Power in our family! ☺
What impact did the college have on your career?
Southwest Tech set the expectation of having a professional attitude, using your resources and knowing when to ask for help, all traits of a successful service technician. I learned that if you give your best effort you will have great satisfaction of a job well done.
Tell me about your career path after graduation. How did you get to where you are now?
After graduation I worked in the service department as a technician at CB&C Equipment in Montfort, Wisconsin (which is now Sloan Implement). I switched gears in 2008 and worked as an operations partner at Bemis in Boscobel, Wisconsin. In 2012, I had the opportunity to go back to Sloan Implement as a service technician. Then in 2019, I started at SWTC as the second year Ag Power instructor and have one full year in now!
What is something you think every student should participate in?
I think all of the students should try to participate in the activities on campus and join the clubs. The Ag Power club is PAS (Professional Ag Student) and it really focuses on preparing students for a successful career search, leadership skills and employment interviews.
What are you proudest of?
I am very proud to have supporting parents, friends and family.
What are your passions outside of work?
I have two boys, Wesley and Owen. We love to hunt, play and work together. I enjoy spending time with friends and family.