Industrial Electronics Technology

Last Updated May 28, 2008


Industrial Electronics Technology is a broad program designed to prepare graduates for employment in manufacturing, merchandising, testing, installing, monitoring, modifying and repairing electrical and electronic equipment systems. Industrial Electronics Technology offers both classroom and hands-on experiences. Practical training provides experience the graduate needs for a successful career. All plants/industries must be maintained, so this is a fairly secure occupation. Certificates are also available in Electrical Maintenance Technician and Electronic Technician.

Duties
Graduates in this field may be required to:

  • build, test, troubleshoot, repair and modify electronic equipment, i.e. electronic timers, photo-electric devices, audio and video units, micro-processor systems

  • analyze and determine the quality and/or performance of electronic circuits

  • pinpoint malfunctioning components

  • make changes in parts of circuits to improve performance of equipment

Working Conditions
Graduates in this field commonly experience:

  • inside (usually production areas)

  • dirty environment

  • work in cooperation with others

  • work under direct supervision

  • work under stress to meet deadlines

  • considerable paperwork required

  • overtime sometimes necessary

Physical Demands

  • active (much walking, carrying, standing)

  • lifting to 50 lbs. (OSHA standards require heavy loads for lifting mechanically)

Characteristics & Temperament
Graduates in this field should have:

  • good written and oral communication

  • ability to work well with numbers, symbols

  • ability to work with people

  • ability to work with inanimate objects - setting up, operating, maintaining

  • preciseness/attention to detail

  • ability to "catch on" quickly

  • ability to perform arithmetic functions quickly and accurately

  • spatial aptitude: understand two-dimensional objects, recognize relationships resulting from the movement of objects

  • good motor coordination: hand/eye coordination, accurate and swift movement, finger/manual dexterity

  • ability to follow directions - both written and oral

  • self-discipline

  • ability to change form one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency

  • ability to make generalizations, judgments, decisions

Employment Outlook
Graduates in this field can expect the following developments:

  • very good to excellent job opportunities

  • salary average: $35,918 for 2002-2007 graduates 

  • salary range: $17,000-56,250per year for 2002-2007 graduates

  • 88% placement rate for 2002-2007 graduates

  • employment of cities and towns of all sizes

  • entry level jobs: electronics technician, maintenance technician, electrician, electrical helper, control technician, crib technician, quality assurance

  • opportunity for advancement to supervisory, managerial or instructional positions with experience or further education (B.A. degree in electrical engineering)

Employers
Recent graduates have found work at:

Program & Course Information
For information about Piedmont Technical College's programs and courses offered in this area, visit the Industrial Electronics Technology Program's Web page.


Career Tracks is a publication of Piedmont Technical College that reflects the current career statistics for students who have completed programs of the college.  Forward your questions about this site to Andy Omundson at (864) 941-8376 or by e-mail to omundson.a@ptc.edu.