As a Pearl River Community College graduate a decade ago, Dustin Chambliss feels his work experience will prove valuable to PRCC students when he begins work next semester.
Chambliss, 40, will be a new Electronics Engineering Technology instructor at the Forrest County Campus when classes begin Aug. 16.
“I graduated from PRCC from the same program I am now going to be teaching,” said Chambliss. “That degree granted me the ability to travel the world as a technician and, if only in faculty instead of name, as an engineer.
“I have designed multiple systems still used in the Gulf of Mexico as well as India and Brazil and am still on retainer as the expert on said systems.”
Chambliss, who graduated from Seminary High School, has spent much of his work time as a self-employed contractor. He plans to use his many contacts into his program at PRCC.
“After graduation from PRCC, I took a job with Oceaneering International as a technician,” he said. “Oceaneering and my project supervisor in particular saw a potential for me to go beyond what I was originally hired as and allowed me a lot of freedom to design and improve existing systems.
“I was a codesigner on projects such as the first 4K camera system, the first 3D camera system as well as a complete redesign for the next generation of remotely operated submarines for the company. All of which are still in use. With the changing market, I was forced to seek extra work as a contractor later in my employment. I did multiple projects with Fuegro Chance, Shell, and Chevron involving subsea mapping and pipeline radiography.”
Chambliss’s work experiences are what impressed PRCC into hiring him.
“Dustin not only understands the theory of electronics but also brings years of experience ranging from underwater remote-operated vehicles for oil and gas, industrial maintenance, and professional sound and lighting design,” said Dr. James Collum, PRCC Dean for Career and Technical Education at the Forrest County Center.
“We are very fortunate to have him as part of our Wildcat family.”
After leaving the offshore industry, Chambliss took jobs both directly employed and subcontracted to multiple factories. He spent a portion of his industrial career working in industrial robotics and automation.
“While the majority of my time was spent in machining and manufacturing, a good portion of my sub-contracting work was done with poultry processing facilities in both the electrical as well as pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical aspects of their processes,” said Chambliss.
He has also spent a large portion of his life as an audio/acoustical engineer.
“My father started me in music at a very young age and by the time I was 13, he had me playing with multiple groups,” said Chambliss. “I have toured as a guitarist, a bassist, and a saxophonist with multiple groups over multiple areas of the United States.
“As I got older I found myself drawn less towards the performance aspect and more toward the technology and the background side of shows. This led me to a career in operation and design of audio systems all around the country.”
Chambliss resides in Hattiesburg with his wife Terany and one-year-old daughter, Vaeda Maeve.
For information about the Electronics Engineering Technology program, call 601-554-5505, email dchambliss@prcc.edu or visit the Forrest County Campus on U.S. 49 South.
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