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Jason Bird, Patek Philippe, New York, New York, Class of 2003 For Jason Bird, the path to a satisfying and rewarding career led from his hometown of Salem, Oregon to the rolling prairies of Oklahoma to Patek Philippe in New York City. All along the way he let his desire for quality and excellence be his guide. "I did a lot of research on watchmaking schools. OSU-Okmulgee has classrooms and labs that are superior to the other schools I visited." Jason says he appreciated the friendly atmosphere of a small campus with a faculty rich in the qualities of concern, discipline and expertise. "I learned a whole new way of looking at things. I found the faculty had such breadth of knowledge and experience that I was able to select the best from each and mold myself into a watchmaker." 
Shane Dixon, Orlando Watch Company, Winter Park Florida, Class of 2004 Sometimes the love of watchmaking can actually have a romantic angle. Florida native Shane Dixon married the daughter of a watchmaker and was soon enamored of his father-in-law's world. He selected OSU-Okmulgee as the premiere location to learn his profession and acquire credentials that would give his employer and customers confidence in his knowledge and capabilities. "Acquiring broader product knowledge is a huge part of my future. Before I attended OSU-Okmulgee, I didn't know one thing about watches. When I graduated, I had the basic knowledge to start my career. Every day at work I learn different movements, tools, techniques, product knowledge, and watchmaking history; all very important if you want to be a well rounded watchmaker." "Anyone interested in watchmaking should know this profession is demanding. It takes extreme dedication, effort, and passion to become a certified watchmaker. Once the certification is yours, so is your future. Working conditions are great and how much you earn is up to you." |
