Three years ago, I’d never heard the term biomedical equipment technician (BMET). I didn’t know the field of healthcare technology management (HTM) existed. Today, I’m a BMET II responsible for making sure critical medical equipment is available and safe for patient care. It’s incredible to look at how my professional life changed—all because I took a chance on an apprenticeship program in an…

Southern politicians often have a homespun way of making a point. A few years ago, a candidate for a small-town sheriff’s election was overheard saying, “Criticize my drawl, you make me laugh. Criticize my views, you make me listen. But criticize my mama and you’re asking for a fight.”

Customer militants come in various forms. Three of the most irritating are the customer…

Torque wrenches—and the people who use them to build and maintain planes—are unsung heroes of the skies.

Torque wrenches measure the force that causes an object to rotate. Aircraft mechanics use torque wrenches to ensure that bolts and fasteners on planes are correctly tightened. Without them, a plane could come apart in midflight.

But like any measurement tool, torque…