WHAT DOES AN ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN DO?
Electronics Technicians, or "ET's", can be found anywhere there
is electronic equipment to be developed, tested, maintained, or repaired.
For an in-depth, official description, see the U.S. Department of Labor
web site at http://www.acinet.org . Another
very good site is http://www.khake.com/page19.html .
How much does an electronics technician earn, and will there
be any jobs when I graduate?
Salaries and employment forecasts change constantly. One reliable
source of this data is the U.S. Department of labor. Their web site (http://www.acinet.org)
has current wage trends and job outlook forecats for electronics (as well
as other industries).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the salaries for the E.T. and E.M.A. technicians
specifically. For more immediate data, take a look at the Sunday edition
of the Arizona Republc classified advertisements under "Technical" (Section
2760) to see which companies are currently hiring electronics technicians.
When the economy is up, our students are often hired before
they complete their degree. Even in the worst of times, however, it is
safe to say that electronics degrees are among the most marketable of any
associate-level degree.
What about Job placement?
MCC maintains an online system called the Maricopa
Career Network into which you are encouraged to place your resume.
Local corporations often search this database for students who meet their
qualifications. In addition, student internships are sometimes available.
If available, intership opportunities are often posted on the bulletin
boards in the Technology Building.
WHAT industry certifications can i earn?
We encourage our students to become Certified Electronics Technicians.
This certification will improve your attractiveness to potential employers.
Our curriculum prepares you for the examination offered by the International
Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET). A certified representative
of the ISCET is on our staff and can provide more information. For your
convenience, we offer this examination on campus. See the bulleting boards
in the Technology Building for dates and times.
How long will it take to earn my electronics degree?
If you are full-time, it takes two years, including a summer.
But i'm working full-time and can only attend classes part-time.
How long will that take?
Some of our students can take only one course per semester,
while others take two courses per semester. There is no time limit on
completing your degree; simply apply for graduation whenever you are
close to completing all the required courses.
You offer three different electronics degrees. What is the
difference between them?
Two of our degrees are for students who want to begin working
in the electronics industry as soon as they graduate. These are the ET
and the EMA degrees. These programs have a purely occupational focus
and include skills most needed by Arizona's industries. We me annually
with an industrial advisory committee made up of representatives from
numerous local electronics employers, both large and small, to determine
the content of these degrees.
The third degree (EET) is for students who also may want
to work in industry, but who eventually want to pursue a 4-year engineering
degree. Because 4-year engineering programs are calculus/physics-based
and are math-intensive, this Associates degree contains more mathematics
and physics than our other two degrees (ET and EMA). These math and physics
courses generally transfer to four-year schools and provide a solid foundation
upon which to pursue an engineering degree. To fit these additional courses
into our program, however, we had to remove some electronics courses.
We developed this program in cooperation with Arizona State University.
I'm still undecided. how soon must i decide?
You have time. There are several courses that are common
to each of these degrees. For example, ELE111, ELE121, ELE131, and ELE181
are required by all three degrees. If you are undecided, take these courses
first.
I might want to pursue a 4-year degree eventually. What are
my transfer options?
All the credits you earn in
any of these three AAS degrees (ET, EMA, and EET) will be accepted by ASU-East
into any of their Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree programs. You will
enter their program as a Junior, with only two more years of classes (if full-time)
to obtain a 4-year Bachelors degree. The BAS degree is intended for people
who will work in industry in technical positions such as plant managers and
production managers, but who will not generally be doing design or research
work.
Yes, but that's a bas degree. what if i want a b.s.e.e.t.
degree from asu?
The AAS EET degree is accepted for transfer to ASU East
towards a B.S.E.E.T. after a course-by-course evaluation. Contact an
electronics advisor (or ASU-E) for more information.
How about a b.s.e.e?
The general education classes (English, humanities, math,
and physics) classes transfer. Because our electronics programs are algebra-based,
however, the electronics classes will not generally transfer.
I have another question that is not answered here. How can
i get it answered?
Contact the Electronics Program Director:
E-mail: jd.neglia@mcmail.maricopa.edu
Phone: (480) 461-7385
Please contact JD Neglia, PE, for comments
or corrections: phone:
480-461-7385
