2024 - Meet Kamron Witt

Elgin Community College (ECC) student Kamron Witt of West Chicago, Illinois, said he found his interest in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) by accident.

“HVAC came to me kind of in a fluke, honestly,” Witt said. “Out of high school, I didn’t really know where I wanted to go, so I stayed around here and worked a few different jobs. I began working as a maintenance guy for an HVAC company, mainly cleaning and changing supplies. I thought, man, this stuff is cool. I want to learn more.”

Witt thought about the big trade schools he could look into, but, having a sister who went to ECC, he decided to apply and began pursuing an HVAC Facilities Maintenance Technician certificate. While continuing to work while he attended classes, Witt found he couldn’t move up in the company despite learning and improving his skills at school.

“I knew I had to get out of there, but every job told me I still didn’t have enough experience,” Witt said. He went to ECC’s Strategic Partnerships & Experiential Learning department, which works with interns and apprentices to look for answers and assistance. 

“They sent me to the only HVAC company they were partnered with at the time, which unfortunately just didn’t work out for me,” Witt said. “I was at my wit's end, and I decided to go back to the department one more time to see if they had anything else, and they did.”

Witt began at Battaglia Industries Inc. as an intern for three weeks in July of 2024. When his internship ended, they invited him to come onto the job as an apprentice and sent him back to ECC to continue learning and earning his way to his Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC.

“I’ve learned a lot just working for them for the last few months,” Witt said. “And I love ECC. I remember my first day of class with my instructor, George Rosa; he was just great. I love learning and doing this, and the way he breaks it down and makes it relatable is so awesome. On that first day, I knew I wanted to do this.”

Witt continues to not only do it but enjoy it. Moving along with ECC and Battaglia, he looks forward to finishing strong in 2027. Learn more about Witt below!

What’s one thing you love to do outside of ECC? I love fishing. My guys and I always go out fishing. One of them has a boat, and we’ll go to Lake Michigan, have some snacks, and play some music. That’s my favorite thing to do between April and September.

What did you want to be growing up? I wanted to be a garbage truck driver. It’s such a cool job. They are up early, but you’re just chilling, and the truck is so cool. I wanted to be that or an ice cream truck driver. You don’t really see the ice cream truck anymore, but growing up, we always would. I can hear it in my mind now.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? My favorite spots are the cafeteria or the mural hallway heading into the library. When you walk into the library, to the right, some seats are couches where I’ll get all my homework done. That’s my spot! It’s the quietest spot to get work done, so I'll go there after work and before class.

What’s your favorite meal to cook or eat out? Pot roast is the best meal. You’ve got the beef, carrots, potatoes, and celery all mixed in with the broth; I love it. I learned how to make it, too, which is even better. That is my favorite meal. If I’m going out to eat, I will go to Chili’s for the triple dipper; I love that. If I’m thinking of fast food, it's probably Chipotle. You can’t go wrong, and there’s something for everyone.

Shout out to an ECC staff or peer! George Rosa – Keep being yourself and motivating students.