THe number one engIneerIng graduaTe scHool for
HIspanIcs In 2005 and 2006 was THe unIversITY of Texas aT
el paso (uTep).* uTep’s college of engIneerIng ranks as one
of THe Top fIve scHools awardIng bacHelor’s degrees To
HIspanIcs. *source: hiSpaNic BUSiNeSS magazIne
Community Colleges (TSTC) at Harlingen, for example, offers entered the army after high school, I was
If you’ve gone through high school without an associate of applied science degree in told, ‘We have several different radio
making a big academic splash, however, mechatronics technology, which deals schools you can go to,’ so I studied radio
don’t write off careers in math and science with the integration of mechanics and technology in the service. When I came
automatically. There are occupations electronics in product and manufacturing back, I went into electronics technology,
in the field—such as lab support or system design. working for the telephone company, then
manufacturing process technicians—that One-year certificates in advanced for Chevron Oil, but always in technology
require applicable work experience, a one- technologies are also available at the four and communications.”
year certificate, or a two-year associate’s campuses of the Texas State Technical Whatever route students take to their
degree from a community college. College. At TSTC in Waco, for example, career goals after high school, Garza is a
Some Texas community colleges students in digital media design earn firm believer in the value of training in
and technical schools award associate’s the virtual reality advanced technical science and technology.
degrees in cutting-edge technologies certificate by mastering the state-of-the-art “Technology would be one of the
and applications, such as computer- Vicon 82 Optical Motion Capture system. primary fields that I would really try to
aided drafting and computer network The equipment replicates the motion of push,” he says, “and I don’t just mean
engineering. Texas State Technical College the human body for medical research, computers. I mean technology in general,
engineering, and special effects in movies because there are so many different fields
and video games. in technology. It can be technology in
Two-year colleges are also great places medicine, technology in business, in
Get the creDiT
to qualify for studies toward a bachelor’s the aerospace industry, in
you Deserve
degree in science or technology at a four- communications.”
year college. Credits earned in community
T
ech prep in Texas is a great way to earn
college usually transfer to four-year schools,
college credits toward a technical career
and are often less expensive to obtain.
while you’re still in high school. Tech prep
programs center on “articulation agreements,”
Military Training
contracts between the student, his or her high
Another alternative for education in
school, and community colleges the student
many areas of Science, Technology,
would like to attend. The agreement includes
Engineering & Mathematics is today’s
recommendations for courses to be completed
high-tech military. Many employers
before graduation and outlines a two-year
value the kind of hands-on work
degree or certificate program.
experience gained during military
selected courses in a Tech prep plan cover
service and servicepeople value the
the same material as the equivalent college
boost it can give their careers.
course, allowing the student to receive what
Dan Garza, for example, now a
is called advanced technical credit toward the
project manager with Hewlett Packard
college degree. It’s like a bank account. The
in Houston, credits his army
credit is banked for you at the college, and you
training with giving him his
withdraw it when you enroll.
career start in technology and
for more information on Tech prep, visit
communications.
www.techpreptexas.org. ask your counselor
“I was into radios in high
about advanced placement, dual credit, or
school,” he says. “When I
articulated courses and other opportunities to
earn college credit.
Page 17
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24