|
 If you are looking for a great job with good
pay, a potential to advance, an opportunity to
work as part of a team and would enjoy helping
to solve technical problems THEN majoring in
Engineering Technology may help you reach your
goal in two years. If you think this
sounds too good to be true, contact Bill Ware
(864-941-8484 or ware.b@ptc.edu)
at Piedmont Technical College for
more information.
WHO
BENEFITS
SC ATE targets
both males and females who are interested in
engineering technology and have an interest in
working in industry, self-employment and/or a
related business. Students enter the
program with a variety of backgrounds, ages and
experiences and are taking advantage of this
exciting initiative.
WHEN
TO APPLY
Consider an
education in Engineering Technology...
-
After
graduating from high school
-
On leaving
the military
-
After
graduating from a 4-year, non-technical
college
-
After
realizing that you are currently in the
wrong career
-
When you
need to make a higher salary
ATE INTEGRATED
CURRICULUM FOR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
CURRICULUM
STRUCTURE
Pre-Engineering
Technology (Pre-ET)
A set of 3 bridge courses -- 9 credit
hours -- taken concurrently in one
semester. The program is targeted for
students who are not prepared in mathematics
and/or science for first-year courses in
engineering and/or industrial technology
programs.
Engineering
Technology (ET) Core
First-year courses (three semesters, 11
courses -- 27 credit hours) in mathematics,
physics, communication, and technology
designed for students enrolling in any
engineering technology major.
CURRICULUM
DESIGN
Curriculum
Integration
Algebra, geometry, measurement,
trigonometry, physics, communication, and
technology skills are integrated and applied
in problem-solving activities designed to
model the workplace environment.
Problem-Based
Learning (PBL) Model
The SC ATE curriculum in comprised of
5-7 projects (modules) per semester.
Each project was written utilizing an
industry-validated problem scenario or
situation. An introductory project in
Pre-ET requires students to research careers
in engineering technology. ET Core
projects investigate physical systems
(electrical, mechanical, fluids, thermal,
optics, and materials) relevant to the the
study of engineering technology. In
each project, mathematics, physics,
communication, and technology skills are
learned in the context of solving a
workplace problem.
Teaching
Methods
Interdisciplinary faculty teams, trained
in cooperative learning techniques, multiple
intelligences, learning styles, and gender
and minority recruitment and retention
strategies, teach the program. Teaming
principles are taught and used in the
classroom to reflect the workplace
environment. Hands-on, active learning
is the predominant teaching/learning style.
SCENARIOS
Problem
scenarios give students an industrial
context in which to learn and apply
mathematics, communication, physics, and
technology competencies. Based on
potential industry situations that have been
validated by industry representatives,
scenarios motivate students and offer them
rationale for learning skills.
COMPETENCIES
Curriculum
competencies and skills are identified in
mathematics, physics, technology, and
communication. Competencies represent
what students should know and be able to do
to successfully complete an engineering
technology curriculum at the technical
college.
PROGRAMS
OFFERED
Piedmont
Technical College offers the following Associate
Degree programs to students interested in
Engineering Technology:
You may also
wish to learn
about Engineering Technology Education programs
offered at other South Carolina Technical
Colleges.
TYPES
OF CAREERS
Career
opportunities in Engineering Technology are wide
open and include the following:
- Mechanical
Engineering Technician
- Electro-Mechanical
Technician
- Electronic
Engineering Technician
- Engineering
Graphics Technician
- Civil
Engineer Technician
- Chemical Lab
Technician
- Chemical
Process Technician
- Computer
Operator
- Computer
Programmer
- Cost
Estimator
- Drafter
- Inspector
- Land
Surveyor
- CNC
Programmer
- HVAC
Technician
For information
about working conditions, employers and
potential salary ranges in Piedmont Technical
College's seven-county service area, visit
Career Tracks.
RÉSUMÉ TIPS
There are three
types of resumes: Chronological, Functional and
Combination. The following online resources
offer good advice for building these types of
resumes, including sample resumes that you can
use to help you build your own:
If you need
help developing your resume, please keep in mind
that Piedmont Technical College and the WIA
One-Workforce Center offer many types of career
counseling.
TYPES
OF INTERVIEW
Review of Resume and Application - An individual or committee screens out applications of applicants who do not meet the company’s requirements based on qualifications.
Remember that your resume is important and that this document is used by the company to compare your qualifications with those of other applicants before you are given an opportunity to interview.
One on One- This type of interview is used frequently by business as it works well when several applicants are to be interviewed separately. The one on one interview is a sequential process that allows for interviewing more than one applicant individually. The interview may be structured or informal.
Group- Group interviews may be used with more than one individual at a time to determine how effective applicants are when working as a team member. A group interview also allows one applicant to be interviewed by meeting with the members of a search committee.
Telephone – A telephone interviews helps to screens out least qualified applicants and this method can also be conducted by using a fax or a computer modem.
INTERVIEW TIPS
BE PREPARED - Know your resume and practice how you want to respond to what might be asked of you during a job interview. Rehearse with others. Practice the answers to questions until they sound unrehearsed. The more you share your resume, the more relaxed you will be during the interview.
Research the company by studying their annual report and other materials to show that you have an interest in their goals and objectives. Visit this company ‘s Web Site as many companies have this information on line. Also knowing their goals and objectives will show that you have an interest in their company and will allow you to ask good questions.
An applicant should make an effort to arrive early for a job interview. Arrive at least ten minutes before your appointment to get your thoughts together. If being late is unavoidable, telephone the interviewer, if possible. If not, apologize over the phone and in writing and ask if they can see you now or reschedule. Emphasize that being late is not your usual behavior.
Take extra resume copies to the interview, write down what you want to have answered ask but do not ask until it is your turn to speak. (Salary and company benefit questions usually are discussed during the second interview.) Also, take telephone numbers of your references to the interview in case you are asked for them.
THE UNEXPECTED- If your mind goes blank and you are unable to answer a question asked by the interviewer, ask that the question be repeated. Also, if the interviewer’s phone rings during the interview and there is a lapse of time before the interview is resumed, make a note of the last question asked so you will know where to begin when the interview is resumed. Be sure that your cell phone is turned off before you begin the interview process.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS - Be pleasant to the receptionist and greet the interviewer(s) with a firm handshake, a smile and direct eye contact. Repeat the interviewer’s name along with your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Choose a chair closest to the interviewer, sit comfortable, but do not slouch. Learning slightly forward shows interest. Do not lean on the desk. When the interview is over, again thank the interviewer(s) for their time and help.
Remember that many interviewers make their decision about an applicant during the first five minutes of the interview. Be ready to take advantage of that brief window of opportunity to make the right impression.
EXPERIENCE Do not minimize your school and work experiences. Any kind of experience related to the job is a plus whether you have an earned degree(s) or a variety of on the job experiences. For example, you may have:
- served in the military
- been involved in on-the-job
training
- participated in volunteer
work
- may be a paid or a former paid
employee
Experience and education are both important as they show your past and present interest, work history including times of unemployment.
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE YOUR
ATTITUDE - Your attitude and communication skills reveal your potential and what you can do for the employer. Some interviewers will ask questions that you may consider to be “off the wall” .for this position. The employer, however, may be trying to determine your communication skills and how you will react in the work place should you be caught off guard.
The most often asked question in an interview is “tell me about yourself.” Do not minimize this question as it gives you an opportunity to use your communication skills. Talk for about 4 or 5 minutes to show how your training and experience will help this company to reach their objective.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR THE
INTERVIEW - Being conservative is always in good taste. It would be helpful if you could visit the location before your interview to see the company’s dress code. If not, just remember that you do not want to wear anything that will distract the interviewer from evaluating your skills and abilities and that clothing, hairstyles and accessories must fit the company image and the job for which you are applying.
Job applicants should always dress for success. A suit or jacket is always acceptable when interviewing for all positions but a collared shirt and khaki slacks is acceptable in some cases. Clean and trimmed nails is a must for applicants, and for men, a shadow beard is not acceptable for an interview.
RESUME - (See section on resume writing) Your resume speaks for itself along with your cover letter and both should be error free. Edit and re-edit your resume and cover letter for grammatical and other errors before you mail your information.
Some of the interview tips were developed by Mr. Ralph Davis, Resin Process Controls Group Leader at Wellman, Inc., Florence, SC. Other tips were
provided by Pat Chandler, The WIA One Stop
Workforce Center, Greenwood, SC and other
individuals.
|
