Meet The Pro: Maxwell Shipley, Service Technician
By Arkansas Next on Friday, October 10, 2025
Hometown: Leachville
Age: 20
Higher Education: Associate degree in Applied Science at Northwest Mississippi Community College
Job Title: Service Technician
Employer: Greenway Equipment
Maxwell Shipley was working at a local grocery store when a casual conversation helped steer him toward a career he’d come to love. While delivering groceries for some service managers from Greenway Equipment, Maxwell started a chat about their work. Their enthusiasm sparked his curiosity and planted a seed for his future.
In his senior year of high school, Maxwell began working part-time at Greenway. It didn’t take long for him to realize he was in the right place after he repaired a machine on his own.
After high school, Maxwell earned his associate degree and transitioned to working full-time at Greenway. The hands-on nature of the job was a perfect fit for his learning style.
“I prefer this route because it is cheaper and more hands-on,” Maxwell said. “This route was better for me because it’s harder for me to learn from a book; with this, you could see and know what you are doing.”
As a service technician, Maxwell’s role involves diagnosing and repairing equipment. His daily responsibilities include arriving promptly, keeping his work area and tools tidy and maintaining focus on the current task. Each day presents a new challenge, which keeps the work engaging and satisfying.
For students considering a similar path, Maxwell keeps his advice simple and encouraging: “My advice is do not overthink and just do it,” he said. “Start early and learn as much as you can.”
MORE ABOUT THE JOB
Education Needed:
Postsecondary certificate
You'll Be Great At This Job Too If...
- Have always had a knack for building things or working on DIY projects
- Tend to master hands-on skills easily
- Enjoy a routine and are a rule follower
- Would rather get paid to learn on the job than in the classroom
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Rail Car Repairers
High school diploma or GED | $83,070
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
High school diploma or GED | $71,850
Electric motor, power tool and related repairers
High school diploma or GED | $59,040
Do You Have What it Takes?
Check off the experience you already have...
► Steadiness (able to keep a steady hand while working)
► Intense Physical Labor (yard work, building, lifting heavy boxes)
► Meticulous (attention to detail)
► Disciplined (sports, jobs, schoolwork)
High-end earners (top 10%) make
$75,050 Annual
Median wages in Arkansas (top 50%)
$43,830 Annual
Sources: careeronestop.org for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in ArkansasEngine Specialists in Arkansas
WHERE TO LEARN
- Arkansas State University-Beebe
- Arkansas State University-Newport
- Arkansas State University Mid-South
- Bachoco USA
- Greenway Equipment
- Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI)
- Stribling Equipment, LLC
- Union Pacific Railroad
- University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee
- University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
- University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
- University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College
- University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College
WHERE TO WORK
- Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
- Arkansas State University-Beebe
- Bachoco USA
- Greenway Equipment
- McGeorge Contracting
- McKee Foods
- Stribling Equipment, LLC
- Union Pacific Railroad
Sources: careeronestop.org
