Dennis Schrader
U.S. Army Veteran and Graduate of Lincoln College of Technology
Dennis Schrader served eight years in the U.S. Army, which included two tours in Iraq. Dennis earned several awards during his service:
• Combat Infantry Badge
• Army Commendation Badge
• Iraq Campaign Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Award
While on deployment, always having to be on high alert made his everyday life difficult. He credits Lincoln Tech with providing him an environment that made him feel supported and safe. While in school, he obtained a part-time position at McGrath Lexus as an Express Technician. After a couple of weeks of employment with McGrath Lexus, Dennis was informed that he would receive a retroactive raise due to his dedication and hard work. Never having experienced this at any previous employer, Dennis is even more motivated to continue to grow professionally within the automotive industry. His academic and professional experience has helped him to overcome many of things he experienced during his deployment. “My love for working with my hands pushed me to learn a new trade and it has proven to be a success. I now work for a manager that is also a Lincoln Tech graduate who appreciates my skills and understands where I come from.”
For those looking to prepare for a rewarding career, Dennis imparts this advice, “The military taught me that the only stupid questions in life are the questions that are unasked. Don’t be afraid to chase the information that you need and learn from others that have years of knowledge. Attention to detail is something that is drilled into you during your time in the military and when you are working on vehicles, attention to detail is very important to ensure you are providing quality repairs and service. Patience and the potential for teamwork are also instilled in you while working together with others and taking orders from superiors. These personal skills go a long way in your work life as well.”