Meet Logan Swank. Logan grew up in the Wenatchee Valley and is a student in WVC’s industrial technology program, working towards his electronics technician certification. With a passion for working with his hands and electronics, his goal is to continue his studies and earn an associate of applied science degree in electronics before transferring to a four-year college or university.
Logan began his journey at WVC as a Running Start student while he was in his junior year at Eastmont High School. “I recommend it [Running Start] to everyone. A lot of my friends wish they had joined,” Logan said. “I got to choose my schedule and my classes. It was a really great experience.”
At a young age, Logan developed an interest in learning about computers and technology from watching his dad work in electronics. “I’ve always been hands on. Growing up, I had my own kit of electrical parts that I would use to make the little motors spin and jump into the air,” he said. “I always wanted to make something, but I just didn’t have the skills. When I started this program at WVC, it was like it just clicked and I could learn how to build anything I wanted to.”
After graduating from high school, Logan decided he wanted to continue his education
and pursue a career in electronics. “I had no idea how electronics worked until I
took one of Professor Zack Jacobson’s classes. I just thought it was magic!” he said.
“Zack is a great teacher. He’ll go over our projects with us and stay after class.
I like how he doesn’t just give me the answer right away – he lets me figure it out
for myself.”
Outside of school, Logan works in the electronics field as a service technician at Van Doren Sales in East Wenatchee. At work, Logan is applying what he has learned in the classroom. “I’m using my skills right now,” he shared. As a service technician at Van Doren, Logan visits sites across North Central Washington. “A few weeks ago, I went to repair a line up in Chelan and picked up some of their sensors. I had to wire up the sensors, send it to a terminal, adjust them to the right length, and make sure they were connected to the computer. I’ve actually used sensors in class, which taught me how to do this at work.”
In class, Logan’s favorite project was wiring up a three-phase motor and working with his peers on group projects. “The final projects are the best,” he added. For his final winter- quarter projects, Logan merged logic chips and 3D modeling to design and build a roulette wheel with an LED light as well as a scoreboard with a 3D model stadium with sensors. “I like making things. It’s kind of like building something from thin air with all of the tools I’m learning in class,” he said.
Logan’s advice to other students is to always ask questions, especially when you don’t have the answer: “Ask right away. It’s better to say you don’t know what’s going on so you can learn how to do something, and it’s always better to jump in than to not jump in at all.”
Looking ahead, Logan is excited for the new Center for Technical Education and Innovation (CTEI) building that will open in Fall 2027 on the Wenatchee campus. The CTEI building will serve as a hands-on learning facility for skilled trades programs, including agriculture, automotive technology, computer technology, electronics and aerospace electronics, environmental systems and refrigeration technology, industrial technology, and more. “It’s nice to know that the college will have a new building for this program,” he shared. “This [industrial technology] is a great program, and I’m excited to see it grow. People are going to need hands-on jobs in the future and will need to know how to fix things.”
After he graduates, Logan plans to gain more work experience and wants to give back
to the community that he calls home. He hopes to one day work for the PUD, the local
union, or grow at his current workplace. “I originally asked if I could shadow my
dad and what he does [at Van Doren],” Logan said. “They realized they had a bunch
of computers they needed someone to go through, so they hired me part-time. As I progressed, they moved
me up to work as a service technician and now I’m on site working with the team!”
Working alongside his dad has been a positive experience for Logan. “My dad has seen some of the projects I’ve worked on, and he’s been able to see what I’ve built for class and how far I’ve progressed. He has high hopes for me,” he shared.
Hands-on learning opportunities are important to have close to home, according to Logan. As a WVC student, he is experiencing firsthand the positive impact of being able to learn new skills and bring them to life at work. His success in the classroom and at Van Doren are a testament to his success and to the exciting opportunities that await.
Published April 28, 2026