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Tabitha Jason (2009, Engineering) - Space Kid Graduates

Tabitha Jason, a self proclaimed space kid, has always excelled in math and science. A graduate of Nashua High School, she said, “I was fortunate to go to a high school that encouraged math, science and computer use.” It was after two years of drafting and design courses in high school that she decided she wanted to be an engineer. She said, “I further confirmed my decision when, during my first year at NHTI, we watched a movie called From the Earth to the Moon on how the NASA engineers designed the Lunar Module. I was completely won over.”

Often the only female in her engineering courses, Jason was intimidated at first but saw it as an opportunity to challenge herself. She graduated from the New Hampshire Technical Institute with an A.S. degree in mechanical engineering and an A.S. in manufacturing engineering technology. She enrolled in courses at UNH in Durham but found it difficult to manage her school and full-time work schedules. Jason took two years off during which she was married, had a son and moved to Claremont, NH.

Jason returned to school in 2007, this time pursuing a B.S. in mechanical engineering technology from UNH Manchester. She said, “I chose the college because the classes are flexible and allowed me to work, be a wife, have a child and still complete my degree.” She took courses fulltime while working fulltime as the patent production manager with QuickDraw, a patent drawing service in Canterbury, NH. With her busy schedule she still found time to serve as the college’s student representative on the regional American Society of Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) committee and attended monthly meetings of the Granite State Chapter. She also completed an energy audit of the Somersworth Schools for her senior project and coordinated a Toys for Tots drive at the college in 2009.

Jason was presented with the annual ASHRAE scholarship award in December 2009 for her hard work and dedication to the field of engineering. She graduated in December 2009 and plans to pursue an MBA in operations and supply chain management and teach as an adjunct professor. Jason is expecting her second child in June 2010.

Photo: Tabitha Jason photographed with Joseph Myers, President of the Granite State Chapter of ASHRAE and regional manager of Milwaukee Valve.