Zach Zimdahl wasn’t sure what he wanted his future to look like when he started high school. Now, just a few years later, the 2026 Campbellsport High School graduate has direction and a clear path forward in manufacturing.
Zimdahl’s path began with hands-on technology and CAD courses at Campbellsport High School. As he explored more manufacturing-related classes, he discovered that he enjoyed the work and could see himself pursuing it as a career.
“As I took the classes, I just kept liking it more, and I figured out that I’d be interested in doing something like this for a job one day,” Zimdahl said.
That interest led him to Moraine Park, where he took several courses at the Fond du Lac Campus while still in high school through the Start College Now program.
For Zimdahl, taking college courses while still in high school provided more than an early start on his education. It gave him an opportunity to experience a different learning environment while continuing to explore a career field he was beginning to enjoy.
“It was different than being at high school,” Zimdahl said. “I felt like the teachers were really personal at Moraine Park, and I think that really helped me.”
One class that stood out was Introduction to Mechatronics, where Zimdahl worked with simulations and gained hands-on experience that reinforced his interest in manufacturing.
His time at Moraine Park also helped connect him with opportunities beyond the classroom.
Through his instructors at Moraine Park, Zimdahl learned about a summer internship opportunity at Buechel Stone in Chilton. He applied, interviewed and was hired.
Today, he continues to work at Buechel Stone. The internship has given him an opportunity to put his classroom knowledge into practice while gaining firsthand experience in a manufacturing environment.
This fall, Zimdahl is continuing his education at Moraine Park to complete his associate degree in Quality and Advanced Manufacturing.
Looking back, Zimdahl said one of his biggest accomplishments is figuring out what he wants to do early on.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do going into my sophomore year,” Zimdahl said. “Since then, I’ve really narrowed it down to what I’m really interested in, and I can get started on my career right away.”
For Zimdahl, exploring his interests early helped turn a curiosity about technology and manufacturing into a career path. By taking college courses in high school, gaining hands-on experience and connecting with a local employer, he’s already building the skills and experience he needs for what comes next.
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