Transfer to Technical: Why one student made the switch to a 2-year program
Thursday, July 30th, 2009Last week in our series on 2-year colleges we told you about the spike in attention community colleges are getting from the federal government and graduating high school students. This week we explore the merits of a hands-on 2 year program over a longer theory program, and why one student made the switch. We spoke with someone who has, like many others, switched from a more generalized, longer 3-year program to a specific 2-year technical program. Most community colleges help students change programs if they want to, in order to encourage students to discover what they really want to do.
There are pros and cons three or four year long degree programs. They have the allure of a shiny college degree. However 2-year certifications equip you with specific and employable skills. Often these skills are high in demand. It’s easier to get right into the workforce after college because you are trained in a specific trade or skill. If you’re not really sure what you want to do though, then a more generalized theory based degree might be more suitable, even if it’s just a jumping off point. Especially if you are uncertain, community colleges are a great place to sample different areas of study before you make a bigger commitment. 
Busy working a summer job at his school, we were lucky to get Louis B. on the phone for a few minutes earlier this week to share his experience switching from a 3- year Mechanical Engineering program to a 2- year Mechanical Technician program at the same college. The Mechinical Engineering degree is a combination of theory and laboratory instruction. The 3-year Advanced Diploma Program in Mechanical Engineering aims to provide a well-rounded education leading to multiple career opportunities in a variety of industries. The Mechanical Technician-Toolmaking certification is a 2- year program that provides students with the knowledge and skills required for a career in tool and die making or as a general machinist. They can work as apprentices in a co-op program. This certification is suited for students who appreciate precise work and want to learn new skills with minimum instruction.
Louis started off in mechanical engineering but after 2 years in the program became discouraged by the large class sizes and broadness of the material. He explains that since there’s so much theory to cover in a Mechanical Engineering degree the class material barely scratches the surface. There is simply not enough time. He was drawn most to the shop, where students work hands-on with many different materials.
Louis felt discombobulated by the broadness of the lesson plans, the disorganization of the program and absence of personal relationships with teachers. He started talking to other students in a similar program at his school: the Mechanical Technician program. Unlike mechanical engineering, which focuses on solving theoretical problems, the Mechanical Technician certification focuses on acquiring practical skills necessary in his chosen career . In addition, the department is more organized, way smaller, and the relationships with the fewer teachers are therefore much stronger. Being a hands-on guy, Louis made the switch. He’s just completed his first year, and in his casual yet upbeat demeanour, proceeded to explain his satisfaction with his decision and his current studies.
In the mechanical technician program, or ‘mech-tech’ for those in the know, Louis explains the course material “goes right to the end” in many of the same subjects covered in mechanical engineering. The machining techniques that appealed most to Louis were covered only briefly in mechanical engineering. The small taste he got though, allowed him to figure out that the more specific mech-tech program was the right change.
When asked if he had any hesitations about switching to a more narrowly-focused discipline, Louis admits that some people did warn him that he was limiting his career. Despite the more concentrated study area of this shorter program, Louis feels confident that the training it gives him enables him to work virtually anywhere in the world.
He began with a broader program, got a feel for what he was actually interested in, and followed that passion. Many of us begin college in one major and then realize it’s not for us. That doesn’t mean it’s a waste. It’s part of the process of figuring out your likes and dislikes and your strengths and weaknesses. When asked if he could go back whether he would have entered straight into the mec-tech program, he tells me absolutely not. “No” he says, “I’m glad I took the longer path because I learned a lot of good study habits and became familiar with a lot of the material that I am still studying now. In the end,” he explains, “I don’t think any education is a waste, no matter what it is.”
One of his favorite parts about his new program is that the small faculty and student size means he has gotten to know his instructors quite well. Being industry veterans themselves, the instructors can connect students with potential employers and guide them towards employment opportunities. In the end, whatever education you get is not wasted. It’s starkly obvious when talking to him that Louis has found his best-fit school major. If you’re interested in a specific major the ALL NEW CampusCompare will help you find your best fit school by major. Stay tuned for this new and improved feature, coming next week…
