6 Maintenance Operations T E C H T I P Ask Your Instructors Ask instructors about their contacts with local com- panies that need graduates. These connections are an important consideration when selecting a school because they can help fast-track postgraduation employment. 1.2.3 Universities and Continuing Education Many universities have programs specifi cally designed for students who transfer from a two-year technical pro- gram. Private engineering and technical schools may also transfer in many credits earned at a two-year insti- tution. For example, Northern Illinois University has an excellent technology program that, when combined with an approved AAS, will allow a full-time student to complete his or her BS degree in one year. Many stu- dents have gone on to further their education in this way. Look for similar programs at your local schools. Continuing education is education that occurs after formal education is complete. Continuing education may be related to your current position and is intended to improve your performance. Th is type of continuing education often involves learning about new technol- ogy or new processes. Continuing education is also used to learn new skills with the goal of advancing to a new position. Th is type of continuing education may involve learning technical skills or may focus on “soft skills” such as management skills or communication skills. Typical Community College Program Offerings Program Type Typical Time to Complete as Full-Time Student Number of Credit Hours Description Certifi cate 1–2 semesters 10–30 Certifi cate programs generally require 3–10 classes. Classes normally focus on a single, specifi c technical area. Examples include a Fluid Power Technician certifi cate or a Process Controls Technician certifi cate. Associate Degree 2 years 60 Associate degree programs include required technical classes, elective technical classes, and required general education classes. Examples of Associate degrees include Industrial Maintenance Technician, Mechatronics Technician, Mechanical Engineering Technician. Bachelor Degree 4 years 120 Bachelor degree programs require transferring from the com- munity college to a four-year university. Industrial maintenance programs could lead to bachelor degrees such as Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology . Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 1-3. Three common community college program types. As you complete each level of programs, your range of employment opportunities widens as you become a candidate for higher-salary positions. T E C H T I P Continuing Education Always ask about tuition reimbursement during an interview (for seminars also). It shows the employer that you are interested in continuing your education. 1.3 CAREERS Training in industrial maintenance and mechatronics can prepare you for a wide range of careers. Due to the high demand for these skills in the United States, skilled technicians can go nearly anywhere and fi nd a position. 1.3.1 Career Opportunities Th e average person has had 10 diff erent jobs by the time he or she is 40 years old. People typically spend two to three years in a position before they decide if the job is a good fi t for them. Th is is perfectly normal. Just as very good employees are hard to fi nd, a very good fi t to an employer can be hard to fi nd. Many diff erent types of companies employ work- ers with industrial maintenance and mechatronics skills. Many positions fall in the manufacturing sector, but pri- vate companies and public government facilities outside of manufacturing also need employees with these skills. Working at a relatively small company, you may have a wide range of responsibilities, but less room for advance- ment. Working at a relatively large company, you may Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.