Preparing automotive techs for tomorrow’s technology

Alternative Energy Automotive Technician Certificate

In the last decade, the number of alternative-fueled vehicles on the roads has risen dramatically and continues to increase. From individuals to corporate and government fleets, more and more Americans are choosing these energy-efficient modes of transportation. That creates a high demand for automotive technicians with the technical skills to maintain and repair vehicles powered by electricity, alternative fuels, or a hybrid of conventional fuels and new technology.

Funded in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the new Alternative Energy Automotive Technician Certificate prepares automotive students and professionals to step into this up-and-coming specialty.

Honda North America, Inc.

Working together to build career pathways for high school and college students

Columbus State is committed to working with employers to bridge the gap between what students learn and the skills companies look for in a candidate. Honda’s work-study program gives Columbus State students real-world experience in the field before they even leave school, setting them up for success after graduation.

Erica Miller, Modern Manufacturing

Columbus State’s Modern Manufacturing Work-Study program helped Miller learn on the job

Erica Miller’s first foray into engineering and robotics was in middle school, when she participated in the First Lego League. “As a kid I was always fascinated with figuring out how things worked. I really liked thinking through problems and evaluating solutions,” she says. Today, she’s channeling that passion for problem-solving into her job as a technician with Stanley Electric US, Inc.

Miller gained the knowledge and skills she needed through Columbus State’s Modern Manufacturing Work-Study program, which gives students an opportunity to work with a local company while they’re still in school. For Miller, that meant servicing and maintaining robots and equipment at Honda. “It’s great how what you learn at school and what you learn on the job build on each other,” she says. “They ask me to do things at work for the first time and I’m like ‘Hey, I know how to do this!’ The classes and lab work really teach you the basics so you can jump in when you get a job.”

Shane Bendele, Engineering

Preparing students for the workforce and beyond

For professor Shane Bendele, there’s nothing more satisfying than know he’s prepared his students well. “Probably my favorite thing that I hear over and over again is somebody who’s been working in the field for maybe six months, they come back and they tell me ‘I use everything you taught me,’” he says.

The annual median salary for a mechanical engineering technician is $54,480

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mechanical engineering technicians earn a median $54,480 per year working with mechanical engineers to design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices, including tools, engines, and machines. In this career, you’ll might do everything from creating sketches and rough layouts to recording and analyzing data.

Nadine Reece, Automotive Technology

Nadine Reece loves figuring things out — and Columbus State's Automotive Technology department is a piece of that puzzle.

Reece became interested in cars through a high school internship with Alternative Auto Care for a semester. "I love the puzzle aspect of the work, and figuring out the exact root cause of an issue is very satisfying," she said.

Columbus State's program gives students a solid understanding of how every part of the car works, Reece said. And although she was one of the few women in the program, she always felt respected and included. "The camaraderie we had as classmates was one of my favorite parts of the program. Even on long and hot days, it was a delight to be there with friends."

Miranda Dietz, Supply Chain Management

The logistics of beer, from the hops to the dock

As a graduate of Columbus State's Supply Chain and Logistics Program, Miranda Dietz gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her field of study and current role as BrewDog USA's Supply Chain Manager.

Architecture

Learn to take building projects from concept to completion

Columbus State’s Associate of Applied Science in Architecture teaches students how to make a building come to life by piecing together a building project and developing the drawings necessary for it to be constructed. The program covers skills used daily in the field, such as manual and CAD drafting, Building Information Modeling (BIM), detailing, product selection and specification, design, the study of architectural history, and code evaluation. Graduates find positions with architectural and engineering firms, builders, developers, product manufacturers and others.