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Find the right technology school for your career

Firefighters use it. So do mechanics, city planners, Web site builders and nurses. Technology has changed the way American workers do business, and a technology degree can take you anywhere.

Service members with technology degrees are among the most marketable job candidates because many have security clearances to help seal the deal.

Strategic choice

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Braman is on his way to a lucrative second career as a network security specialist. He’s enrolled in ITT Technical Institute in Springfield, Va., working to earn a bachelor’s degree in information systems security.

Braman enlisted in 1990 and served in Iraq, Turkey and Yugoslavia. He worked as a weapons instructor, procurement agent for the secretary of the Army and a Ranger cook. But his military career took an unexpected turn the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Braman was at work in the Pentagon, logging inventory into a computer.

“After the plane hit, I went back in three times,” he said. “I rescued three people and brought out 63 deceased persons.”

Braman received a Purple Heart and Soldier’s Medal for his bravery that day. But he suffered permanent lung damage from the heat, jet fuel and other toxins he breathed during the rescue efforts. He’s been diagnosed with chemical pneumonia and also has chronic asthma.

His status in the Army is under review, and he may be medically retired because of his injuries. But he continues his course work and expects to graduate by the summer of 2009. He’s considering his career options in federal agencies and the defense contracting industry.

“I came in about six months ago and already had about 60 college credits,” Braman said. “I’d done my homework on different network security degree programs and schools and chose ITT and this degree plan because I knew it would make me more marketable as a civilian. It’s very demanding, but you’re always working with the latest technologies, and they’re always changing. So you have state-of-the-art training here just as you do in the military.”

Study where you’ll work

Options for technology degrees continue to grow in keeping with job-market demands. Online learning is as common as traditional classroom learning among students who work full time. Another trend altering the way institutions design their degree programs is the rising number of community colleges, four-year universities and specialty technical institutions that tailor technology degrees to fit the hiring needs of local employers.

Students learn where they plan to earn and graduate with the skills they need to walk into technical careers without relocating.

The schools of study at each ITT campus have local advisory committees of people representing area businesses, said Danielle Polsky, ITT community relations specialist.

“The input from these committees helps ITT offer an education reflective of employer needs,” Polsky said. Employers who have hired Springfield’s ITT Tech graduates include the Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Verizon, Global Wireless, CACI and the U.S. Postal Service.

Colleges are flexible

Many college systems have flexible degree plans that offer students short-term certificates, two-year diplomas and bachelor’s degrees.

With more than 26 institutions statewide, Alabama College System offers about 150 technical career programs — from machine tool and welding technology to electronics engineering and nursing.

This way, students can earn the credits they need to enter the work force when they want to, and Alabama employers can hire trained people for critical skills as needed.

“The programs vary in length from a few weeks to two years,” said Susan Price, vice chancellor, Instructional and Student Services, Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. “An individual may enroll in an intensive training program and in just a few short weeks develop the skills and competencies necessary for an industry-recognized credential that would allow for immediate employment.”

Students who complete one phase of learning can become employed, then return to the classroom when they want to continue their education or finish a degree.

“Flexibility is the key,” Price said. “In many cases, classes are offered at night and online.”