Cal Christen

Cal has been a machinist for 40 plus years. His career actually started in high school, where as a junior at West Valley he enrolled in metal shop. This was it. He discovered a career that requires the use of your hands and mind to make and build projects. A perfect fit. During his senior year in the class his teacher, Quentin King, informed Cal of the two year machining program offered at Spokane Community College. He started at SCC the fall after graduating from high school. Less than two years later he began his machining career. Cal came back to SCC nine years later to teach the machining program full time. He is currently back at SCC teaching the evening CNC/Machining program.

In his current role at Wagstaff he provides internal machinist training and works to inform students about skilled trades career opportunities. He does this by hosting job shadows, shop tours, and attending career fairs. He is involved with the FIRST Robotics program and for the last two competitions held at West Valley has headed up the shop crew. This team uses their skills and West Valley’s shop to provide repair and modifications for the robots competing beyond what teams are equipped to do in the pits.

Cal serves on this committee because he has a strong passion for manufacturing and the skilled trades and wants to do all he can to promote the numerous great careers available to students in manufacturing.