When the Collin College Technical Campus opens its doors to the public for the first time this fall, it will also open new educational and career pathways for students throughout Collin County. Built around training in essential industries, the campus will provide an outlet for students eager to find success in high-tech, high-demand, high-wage careers.
As the parent of a student who wants to enter the workforce quickly and build a career with his or her hands, the Technical Campus and its programs should interest you, according to Bill King, the campus’s vice president/provost.
“The Technical Campus will offer training in growing industries at a fraction of the cost of for-profit trade and technical schools,” King said. “What’s more, the campus we have built is outfitted so that students will learn hands-on with the latest technology and guided by people who have worked in the fields they are studying.”
Programs offered include Automotive Technology, Collision Technology, Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), Construction Management, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Electronic Engineering Technology, HVAC, Industrial Automation, Welding Technology, and several health sciences programs, with more in development. Most of the programs offer industry-recognized certifications which allow graduates to enter the workforce sooner at a good wage. (See the accompanying box for a breakdown of average salaries for careers in each of those fields and how much growth is expected for them in the next seven years.)
The three-story campus with a unique cantilevered design going up just south of Hwy. 121 in Allen has state-of-the-art lab spaces and equipment for each program, created with input from industry professionals who serve on the college’s many workforce advisory boards.
“The partnerships that we have established with industry keep us abreast of the workforce demand while also providing internship and employment opportunities for our students,” said Kate Smith, career coach for Collin College’s Technical Campus programs.
In addition, graduates of most of these programs will qualify for admission into Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree programs at participating Texas universities. This multidisciplinary focus degree opens up career advancement opportunities for students who want to continue their education in areas like management and leadership.
By taking classes at Collin College, students enjoy significant cost savings while determining if a four-year degree is best for them. At current rates, a two-year degree at Collin College which prepares students for the workforce is just $3,240 in tuition. That compares to an average of $15,373 for the first two years of tuition at a four-year university or college. For-profit trade schools can cost the same as a university or more.
“Our students can have a good career, make good money and don’t have to go to school for four years and accumulate a massive debt to be successful,” Smith said.
So, how do you know if a technical or trade career is a good fit for your student?
The first step is determining what kind of career interests them and where they will be successful. Students and parents are encouraged to speak with their high school counselors or a College and Career Counselor provided in their school by Collin College. These counselors have assessment tests which can help narrow down the choices. The Career Centers at Collin College can also offer students free access to MyPlan.com, a college and career planning assessment site.
You can even help them start their career exploration journey by asking them a few simple questions, according to Collin College Workforce Recruiter Michael Tyler.
“I try to get students to focus on what they are passionate about,” he said. “Do they like working with their hands? Do they like working outside of an office setting? Do they like problem-solving?
“We can give you the skills, knowledge and ability to do these things, but we can’t give you the passion. The passion has to be organic.”
If a workforce career seems to be a good fit, parents and students can advance their search by researching individual careers to decide if their skill sets and aspirations match a particular field.
As a parent, you want the best for your student. The Technical Campus will offer the best technical education available in Collin County, according to King.
“The Collin College Technical Campus is just the place for students who want a career building, creating, and making things go,” King said.
Visit www.collin.edu/campuses/technical or email technicalcampus@collin.edu for more information about the Collin College Technical Campus. Go to www.collin.edu/studentresources/career for information on career services offered to Collin College students. Or see www.collin.edu/express/dualcredit/collegecareercounselors.html for your school’s college and career counselor’s contact information.