Are you looking for a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious career? If so, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM+A, which includes Art) are technical careers that should be your area of focus and research. A quick search on the Internet yielded more than 85,000,000 links for STEM careers. STEM education is important because students in our classrooms today are the innovators, visionaries, explorers and inventors of tomorrow.
STEM careers in Yavapai County include electronics, electrical utility technology, computer numeric control (CNC) operators and welders. Yavapai College participated in the last round of federal funding that spawned the “Get into Energy” initiative at the community college. In three years, 489 students have been served, completing programs in electrical utility technician, electronics, pre-engineering, welding and a few in the mining energy field.
A career as an electronics and instrumentation technician has an individual working in the areas of medical, aerospace, manufacturing, and broadcasting, to name a few. Technicians analyze information, evaluate results and choose the best solution to a problem. They work on components used in space, aviation, renewable energy applications and maritime. According to the Department of Labor (DOL), the annual median wages in this field are around $57,000 with a Certificate or an AAS degree.
Working in the field of electrical utility technology (lineman), individuals adhere to strict safety practices, work outdoors in all weather conditions, and have a good working knowledge of electricity. Lineman may even suspend from a helicopter to make inspections and repairs on high-tension wires. The DOL indicates annual median wages for this field are more than $81,000 with a certificate.
Making a part from a blank piece of material is what a CNC operator does. These operators use controls and processes to generate the parts we all use in our everyday lives. For example, the wheels used by NASCAR are produced by a CNC operator. Annual median wages from the DOL are $39,000 with a certificate.
Welders usually work on production or repair projects where at least two pieces of metal need to be joined together. Besides thinking creatively, welders need to analyze and solve problems and develop specific plans to prioritize, organize and accomplish their work. Welders work on projects such as the steel structure of art, bridges and high-rises. The DOL lists an annual median wage of $36,000 with a certificate.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) has been training individuals and supporting the STEM initiatives before STEM became an initiative. CTE addresses the needs of high-growth industries to fill the skills gap; middle-skill jobs that require education and training beyond high school, but less than a bachelor’s degree, are a significant part of the economy. Of the 55 million job openings to be created by 2020, 30 percent will require some college or an AAS degree.
SciTech Festivals, like the one at the Prescott Gateway Mall in February, present great opportunities to experience STEM+A work and products.
Contact Yavapai College to find your supercalifragilisticexpialidocious career.
By Jim Voska
Jim Voska is a career coach for Yavapai College with the Career & Technical Education (CTEC) division.
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