Top Technician Careers

If you are interested in science and mathematics, but do not have the time or the funding to invest in a bachelors or masters degree, a technician career may be for you. Most technician careers require only an associates degree or a certificate from a career training school. At technician school, you are trained to be an expert in the technical aspect of the job with a general knowledge of theory.

There are technician colleges that offer bachelors degrees and masters degrees for technician students who want a more general education in addition to learning a trade. Of course, the advantage of choosing to pursue a bachelors or masters is that it will increase your earning potential and make it easier to advance at your job. It may also be possible to use your associates degree in combination with work-related experience to advance in your technician career.

Technician schools mix class room learning with hands-on training, so that students can easily transition to an entry-level position after graduation. Courses focus in mathematics, science and engineering, so an interest in these subjects is the key to getting started in this career. A practical understanding of the general knowledge related to your field is learned at technician schools.

Computer Systems Technology Careers

Computer systems technology schools prepare students to assist professionals with troubleshooting and repair for hardware and software. Within this field, you can go on to become a computer systems analyst or, with the right amount of training, a computer and information systems manager. The most popular type of technician schools for computer systems technology majors are 1 to 2-year computer technician certificate programs or an associates degree program. Students who wish to compete for the more technologically advanced positions and desire to receive a general education should pursue a bachelors degree in computer systems technology.

Career options for computer systems technicians:

• Computer hardware technician
• Computer software technician
• Drafting and design technician
• Computer engineering technician

Engineering Technology Careers

Engineering technicians often work under the supervision of engineers and are specifically focused on application of the project. With a strong background in science and mathematics, engineering technicians are hired to solve technical problems in development, sales, inspection, manufacturing, maintenance and construction.

Most employers prefer to hire applicants who hold a certificate or associates degree in engineering technology earned at a 2-year career training program, community college, trade or vocational school. The advantages of earning your associates degree in engineering technology at an accredited community college include more training in theory and courses in general education.

Career options for engineering technologists:

• Civil engineering technician
• Electrical engineering technician
• Electro-mechanical engineering technician
• Environmental engineering technician
• Industrial engineering technician
• Mechanical engineering technician

Laboratory Technician Careers

Laboratory technicians work in clinical and medical settings to detect, identify and diagnose disease and illnesses. Applicants must have a solid background in science and be comfortable with bodily fluids, as you will mostly be working with blood and saliva samples.

You may choose to attend a 1 or 2-year laboratory technician certificate program, however, employers favor laboratory technician job applicants who have completed the 2-year program. The curriculum for a laboratory technician associates degree and a bachelors degree are almost identical, except in the bachelors program you also take core curriculum classes.

Career options for laboratory technologists:

• Chemical technician
• Industrial radiologic technician
• Nuclear power technician
• Physical science technician
• Clinical laboratory science technician
• Cytogenetics/genetics/clinical genetics technician
• Cytotechnology technician
• Hematology technician

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