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Most students set a goal to earn one college degree. Not Durham Tech 2026 graduate Logan O’Hara.
O’Hara left Durham Tech with an Associate in Arts degree and an Associate in Applied Science in Electrical Systems Technology, a BioWork certificate, an Electrical Systems Technology (EST)-Control Electrician certificate, EST-Construction Electrician certificate, and EST-Maintenance Electrician certificate. In addition, O’Hara earned five Smart Automation Certification Alliance certificates, an industry-backed credential validating hands-on technical skills in Industry 4.0 automation, smart manufacturing, and connected systems.
Not one to rest on his laurels, obviously, O’Hara continued to look for more learning opportunities as he was finishing his time at Durham Tech.
“It was my instructor, Mr. Mervin Moats, who first brought up me going to East Carolina University for their Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology,” O’Hara said. “I’ll focus on engineering. I did STEM in high school and did engineering then. I excelled at it. Mr. Moats has a [Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology] from ECU, so he was able to guide me toward the university and the program.”
Engineering is a field that demands strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and persistence — qualities O’Hara developed at Durham Tech through balancing multiple classes in multiple programs with hands-on coursework requiring him to tackle complex technical challenges.
Being a fellow ECU Pirate with Moats was an incentive, but what drove O’Hara’s decision to choose East Carolina was the responsiveness of the school when he applied and the fact that it allows 75 credits to transfer instead of the 60 accepted by other schools. O’Hara brings along 119 credits, 69 of which count toward his degree. He will enter ECU as a senior.
“Coming in as a senior saves me money, but most importantly it saves me time,” O’Hara said. “That is most important to me.”
Time is something O’Hara does not waste. While finishing up at Durham Tech and getting into ECU he made moves that will further impact his future. He landed a job with Siemans.
“One of my instructors was helping another student and looking into Siemens representing at Durham Tech’s career fair,” O’Hara said. “Siemens showed and I introduced myself. Then Mr. Moats planned a class trip to Siemens. At this point I was already in the interview process, and I met two folks from human resources during the trip, and I got the job soon after that. If I want something, I am going to make it happen. I feel that way about my education and with my career.”
“Logan’s desire and drive to add tools to make himself more marketable is evident in his degrees and certifications,” said Moats, who is director of Durham Tech’s Industrial Systems Technology program. “He has devoted time. Coming in early or showing up on days that he didn’t even have class. He is driven to grow and increase his opportunities for success.”
O’Hara credits his Durham Tech instructors with getting his education off to a strong start. Their belief in him and willingness to help him along the way had a tremendous influence in shaping his path. O’Hara said he believed them when they told him, “We’ll go with you as far as you want to go.”
“The instructors gave me the opportunity to challenge myself and discover just how much I was capable of accomplishing," O’Hara said. "The culture at Durham Tech is one that supports students but also reminds them that it is their education so therefore it is what they put into it."
As O’Hara prepares to begin classes at ECU, he remains motivated to be a lifelong learner. And to not waste time, O’Hara plans to work toward his master’s as he completes his undergraduate classes, along with his eye on moving up at Siemens.
“Durham Tech was the start. Mr. Moats, now a fellow Pirate, is a great mentor,” O’Hara said. “In ECU, he showed me the real possibility of attending a four-year school. He’s proof positive that the people at Durham Tech will go with you as far as you want them to, but I know it is my firm belief in committing and making things happen that will get me where I want to be.”