Sean Murphy’s Story: From Drifting to Driven
Published on February 24, 2026
Sean Murphy’s journey back to John A. Logan College began shortly after high school, when he first enrolled in general education classes without a clear sense of direction.
“I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do,” Sean said. “I was kind of just drifting.”
Looking for purpose and a way to pay for school, the Marion native joined the Navy, where he worked as an avionics technician on F-18 aircraft, maintaining electronic systems like communications, navigation, environmental controls, and weapon systems. It was there that he discovered his passion for hands-on technical work.
“The troubleshooting was my favorite part,” he shared. “Knowing there’s a problem, narrowing it down, fixing it, and getting a system back up and running. That immediate sense of accomplishment is a good feeling,” said Sean.
Years later, Sean returned to JALC using the GI Bill and enrolled in the HVAC program. “At that point, I knew I liked technical work,” he said. “HVAC just made sense.”
Now nearing completion of the program this summer, Sean says returning to college as a non-traditional student brought a completely different perspective. “There’s about a 20-year gap between then and now,” he explained. “A lot of life happened in between, so coming back as a student now honestly feels great,” Sean added.
Sean credits the hands-on Career and Technical Education environment and his instructors, Jason Stutes and Aaron Carter, for creating a space that feels practical, supportive, and engaging. “They’re always enthusiastic,” he said. “Great instructors. We have fun in here, and it’s been a really good experience.”
In addition to coursework, Sean also works as a student employee in the HVAC shop, helping maintain equipment and prepare systems for upcoming classes. Being in the shop beyond class hours has helped him develop pride in his workspace and gain a deeper understanding of how everything operates. “Being here more than just during class gives you a different level of pride,” he said. “This is my place of work too, so I take ownership of keeping things organized and running right.”
That ownership became especially meaningful when Sean and his classmates helped set up the HVAC lab after relocating spaces. “At first it felt overwhelming,” insisted Sean. “But once everything came together, it became manageable. Now I look around and feel proud of what we built.”
After graduation, Sean plans to work in residential HVAC locally. Long term, he hopes to return to teaching in some capacity. “One day I’d love to come back and teach, even if it’s just subbing,” he said. “I’ve found I really enjoy working with students.”
Sean also feels confident in HVAC as a career choice, especially as technology continues to reshape other industries. “With all the talk about AI replacing jobs, HVAC isn’t one of them,” he explained. “You’ll use AI tools to help look things up or troubleshoot, but it’s not going to replace hands-on work. Someone still has to diagnose the problem and fix it.”
For Sean, that real-world impact is part of what makes the field so rewarding. “It’s real work with real results,” he said. “You solve a problem, get a system running again, and there’s an immediate sense of accomplishment.”
As a non-traditional student, Sean enjoys learning alongside younger classmates and watching them grow into the trade. “It’s good to see them flourishing and learning,” he said. “Most of them are in a better headspace than I was at their age.”
On hard days, Sean draws motivation from the people who’ve supported him throughout his life, especially his dad. “There are just too many people who’ve gone through too much for me to give up,” he shared.
He encourages anyone considering college to explore all their options, especially Career and Technical Education. “When I first came here years ago, I didn’t really look at what was available. There’s so much here now, especially vocational programs. If you’re local, it’s hard to beat,” he insisted.
Today, Sean finds himself back where his journey began, but with clarity, confidence, and direction. What started as uncertainty after high school led to military service, real-world technical experience, and ultimately back to John A. Logan College, where he’s finishing strong and preparing for a meaningful career.
From drifting to driven, Sean’s story reflects what Career and Technical Education is all about: discovering your strengths, building practical skills, and finding your place through hands-on learning.