- November 2021
Building Maintenance Technician
College of Veterinary Medicine
Starkville Campus
Years in Position: 3 years
Years at MSU: 3 years
Willie Elinburg has worked in construction for nearly 20 years. So, when he heard there was an opening for a building maintenance technician at MSU, he knew it would be a perfect fit for him.
“I’ve been doing this kind of work since I was 17 years old,” he said. “I heard about the opening from my brother who works for the university too. So, I applied.”
For 3 years, Elinburg has been on the maintenance staff at the College of Veterinary Medicine. He is part of a team that handles all types of upkeep and improvements. The school’s buildings are undergoing a major renovation project.
“Right now, we are working on a lot of remodeling,” he said. “So, my day-to-day work mostly involves redoing floors, repainting walls, and those types of things. But I also do regular routine maintenance, like changing filters, fixing broken fixtures, and changing light bulbs. Basically, I fix whatever breaks.”
People want to come to work and have a functional, comfortable working environment. Being a part of providing that is rewarding work for Elinburg, he said.
“I like all aspects of my job, but the remodeling has been my favorite part of this job so far,” he said. “It makes you feel good to see the looks on the faces of the doctors and other staff that work in the buildings when they see your work completed.”
When he’s not working, Elinburg enjoys hunting and fishing.
