Career FAQs

Occupational outlook. Are employers hiring for jobs in this area?
Yes! In fact, companies often recruit students directly from our classes. Some students have positions and continue their schooling on a part-time basis. Robinson Helicopter and Northrup Grumman Electronics are two companies in the Long Beach area actively hiring from the Electronics program. Most employers in this field encourage their employees to take classes at ECC to stay up to date on current technologies.

60% of El Camino’s graduates are placed in the electronics industry. Many workers in the field are retiring, so there is a need for all levels of qualified technicians. In the El Camino area, aerospace is the strongest industry, though biomedical electronics and consumer electronics also need electronic technicians.

Technology background. Can I pursue a career in this field without a background in technology?
Since most students entering the program are changing careers, El Camino College helps students develop the skills necessary to gain at least an entry level job in Electronics. El Camino has many resources for women entering this field through its Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program.

Accessibility for women. Isn’t Electronics and Computer Hardware a tough field for women to break into?
No. Most women do very well in the program and generally employ a systematic approach to problem solving. This trait is very desirable in both electronics technicians and engineers.

Women who enroll in the Electronics and Computer Hardware program at El Camino are eligible for a wide array of services, including child care, counseling, peer support groups, tutoring, internships, industry tours, educational speakers, and job placement assistance, all of which can smooth your way into the field. Networking and mentoring opportunities are also available.

Receptivity to hiring women. Will employers hire women in male-dominated technology areas?
Most employers look for people who are skilled and motivated. Women with these qualities stand out in a pool of potential employees. The Business Training Center at El Camino College works directly with employers to help identify and hire qualified students through its Career Readiness Certificate program.

Students can take Cooperative Career Education classes and earn up to 4 units of college credit for either their work experience or internship. Currently, Allied Signal is offering many Electronics students job shadowing and paid internships opportunities so students can see and feel what it is like to be a technician.

Jobs available. What kinds of jobs can I get with a certificate or an A.S. degree?
Graduates with a certificate or an A.S. degree will meet the basic skill sets for a: general electronics service technician, telecommunications technician, industrial control technicians, digital technician and power line technician. Students must select a course of study appropriate to their interest and future career goals.

Salaries. What kind of salary can I expect?
At initial placement, graduates with an A.S. degree can earn from $14 to $18 per hour. Graduates with an A.S. degree can earn more than those with a certificate. The average salary for graduates is $12-$25 per hour to start, though career pay can range from $25-$75 per hour. Naturally, pay rates depend on your experience and technical abilities.

More information. Where can I learn more about technology careers and what they're like for women?
El Camino College offers the Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program to help you learn about employment in this field from a hands-on perspective. When you enroll in Electronics and sign up for the WIT program, you’ll receive notices about industry tours, field trips, guest speakers, support groups for women, internships, and more.

You can also visit the CalWomenTech Electronics Program page for an overview of both the Electronics career and the programs offered by El Camino College. Read Women’s Success Stories and news about women in this field at Role Models in the News. Or, network with other women in the field through Women in Electronics associations.

Academic FAQs

Math skills. How much math do I really need?
No math prerequisites apply to the Electronics and Computer Hardware program, although students with basic math skills are at an advantage. Students can take ECHT 20, Basic Math for Electronics. This course is an introduction to mathematics for electronics and is designed to prepare students for entry level employment in the field. You may also visit the Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program on campus – they have fun and entertaining software tools that can help you build your math skills. Math tutoring is also available at the WIT program.

Technology skills. How can I prepare for the program if I don't have a background in technology?
You don’t need a background in technology or the trades to enter this program. Students will be better prepared if they have basic skills with a personal computer and typical desktop applications and are able to identify common tools used in the classroom. El Camino College offers ECHT 22, Basic Electronic fabrication. The fabrication course helps develop skills in spatial reasoning (the ability to see things in three dimensions). ECC also employs continuous discussions in the use of various types of electronics test equipment and hand tools throughout the Electronics courses.

At the Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program you can work with software programs to help develop the math and spatial reasoning skills needed to do well in classes and you can increase your chances of success by becoming familiar with common tools before class via the CalWomenTech Learning Library. Once you are enrolled in the program there are several options for tutoring assistance.

Courses required.How can I find out what courses I need to take for the Electronics and Computer Hardware program?
Visit the Electronics and Computer Hardware program section of the El Camino College website for descriptions of both the courses offered and the degrees and certificates programs available. The course catalog will also provide information about the general education requirements for the A.S. degree.

Placement tests. Are placement tests required for this program?
No. We recommend that students who have some difficulty take ECHT 20, Basic Electronics Math.

Length of program. How long will it take to complete the Electronics and Computer Hardware program?
The A.S. Degree program in:

• Electronics Technology takes 2 years, full-time, and approximately 3 years part-time to complete. The program requires 32-34 units in Electronics courses.
• Computer Technology takes 2 years, full-time, and approximately 3 years part-time years to complete. The program requires 37-39 units in Computer Hardware courses.

There are several certificate programs in Electronics of varying lengths.

Students may spread their coursework over a longer period if family or work obligations prevent them from attending school full-time.

High school preparation. Can I prepare myself for a technology program at El Camino College while I'm still in high school?
It’s helpful to be comfortable with personal computers and common desktop applications, and to be familiar with common tools used in a shop. It’s also important to be somewhat comfortable with basic math and sciences. El Camino does outreach to young women in high schools to provide information about the Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program, so check with the WIT program to see if anything is planned.

Weight-lifting requirements. How can I prepare myself physically to meet the weight-lifting requirements for a job in Electronics and Computer Hardware?
Some areas of the program require climbing and lifting weights up to 50 pounds. Steve Cocca, Electronics instructor at ECC recommends that “Once you see there’s a physical demand for a particular job, prepare and practice!” Students thinking about a career in this area should stay active and be physically fit. Female students may want to focus on increasing upper body strength via a gym or the school’s Physical Education courses to increase their ease and safety in lifting.

Childcare FAQs

Child care. Where can I get child care assistance when I'm at school or work?
The Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) Program provides child care services on a first-come, first-serve basis to its members who are enrolled in the Electronics and Computer Hardware program. Students can download an application for the WIT program from the WIT website.

Children must be potty trained and no older than five years. Child care is provided by the Child Development Center located on campus. The WIT student must have declared a major in the Electronics and Computer Hardware program (or another of the 13 non-traditional careers programs offered through the WIT Program) and must be enrolled in at least six units related to her major.

Contact:
Women in Industry and Technology Program
Technical Arts Building, Room 104B
16007 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90506
310.660.6780
WIT at elcamino.edu

El Camino College also provides child care assistance for students who meet the requirements for programs such as Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE). Fee-based child care services may also be available.

Financial Aid FAQs

Finances. How can I get financial aid?
El Camino College provides support for and information about financial aid, federal work study programs, and scholarships. You'll also find support programs such as CalWorks, Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS), and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE). Just file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine what kind of aid you qualify for.

You'll find step-by-step instructions at the Financial Aid and Scholarships page.