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“You have to get aggressive, step forward, and get the job done. Usually, as soon as people see your ability, the fact that you’re a woman goes away. You just have to kind of shrug off [people’s misconceptions about what you can do].” |
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Career Path: There are 3 different level of technicians, depending on your education and experience level:
C technicians are entry level and have an A.S. degree. Those graduating from the El Camino program with an A.S. degree have C technician skills and education. C technicians make approximately $12-$25/hour.
B technicians are intermediate level and have more experience in the field. B technicians may have taken advanced classes beyond the A.S. degree, or are working toward or have a B.S. degree. B technicians make over $25/hour.
A technicians have extensive experience in the field and work on highly sophisticated projects or programs. A technicians have B.S. degrees and make approximately $75/hour.
Nature of the Work: Much of the work in electronics is technical and mechanical, and varies depending on the field and job type. Positions include installation and service of equipment in homes, offices, buildings and factories, and requires knowledge and use of specialized tools. Some positions include lifting, especially when installing and repairing equipment. Attention to detail and a willingness for lifelong learning is required. Some workers trained in electronics are also hired into sales and estimating positions.
Work Environment: The work environment varies greatly depending on the specific job. Since the field is diverse, you can choose a job that requires work indoors or outdoors. Technicians work outside in the field as a service technician or installer or inside in a manufacturing company.
Specific Jobs Available to Graduates: The electronics industry offers a wide variety of jobs. With an A.S. degree, graduates can become engineering technicians, computer technicians, or electronic technicians. These jobs are in a variety of fields such as mechatronics/automation, consumer electronics, biomedical electronics, and aerospace electronics. Graduates with a certificate can be computer technicians, network technicians, support and help desk technicians, and inside/outside sales consultants.
Industries Employing Graduates of this Program: Aerospace, electronics, home and business installers, biomedical electronics, and local city and county government. Specific companies include Comcast, AT&T Wireless, Best Buy, Time-Warner, Raytheon, Aerospace Corp, Siemens, Phillips, and Southern California Edison.
El Camino College works directly with many companies, through an HVACR advisory board and the Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) advisory board. The HVACR board advises El Camino about job qualifications required by industry. Involved companies include C & L, ACCO, Northrup Grumman, Carrier, Trane, Honeywell, Source Refrigeration, ABM Engineering, and Emcor, among others.
Course Description: The Electronics program provides both an A.S. degree and multiple certificate programs in specific niche areas. Upon completion of the degree or certificate requirements, graduates are usually employed as a "C" technician, though some are hired at the “B” level.
Courses include:
- Electronics and Computer Hardware Technology
- Electronics and Computer Hardware Technology
- Semiconductor Circuits
- Operational Amplifiers and Linear Integrated Circuits
- Digital Systems and Computer Logic
- Analog and Digital Systems Analysis and Troubleshooting
- Robotics and Machine Control
- Network and Telecommunications Cabling
- A+ Certification Preparation for Computer Hardware Systems
- Preparation for the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) General Radio-Telephone Operator's License
- Introduction to Microprocessors and Interfacing
El Camino has agreements with many CSUs, which help students transfer and earn a B.S. degree in Industrial or Engineering Technology.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this program, though basic computer skills and math skills are recommended.
Hours Offered: Courses are offered during both day and evening hours. Class schedules vary by semester. See semester class schedules for specific information.
Length of Program: The A.S. degree program in Electronics requires 60 units and takes 2 to 2 ˝ years to complete. The program offers a Computer Technology or Electronic Technology option. Even if family or work obligations prevent you from attending school full-time, you are encouraged to attend part-time.
The El Camino Electronics Department also offers many certificate programs.
These Certificate of Achievement options are available:
- Communications Equipment Technician (Total Units: 27-29)
- Computer Hardware Electronics Technician (Total Units: 29-31)
- Electronics Engineering Technician (Total Units: 30-34)
- Industrial Computer Control Technician (Total Units: 34-36)
- Communications Equipment Technician (Total Units: 27-29)
- Computer Hardware Electronics Technician (Total Units: 29-31)
- Computer Hardware Technician (Total Units: 15)
- Electronics Engineering Technician (Total Units: 30-34)
- Electronics Technician (Total Units: 16)
- Industrial Computer Control Technician (Total Units: 34-36)
Tutoring Contact:
Tutoring is available for women in the Electronics program through the Women in Technology (WIT) program.
For additional tutoring services, view a list of on-campus specialized tutoring services, visit the Learning Resources Center or view the tutoring schedule for a variety of classes.
Financial Aid Contact
http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/fao/
Academic Counselor Contact:
http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/co/
Job Placement:
http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/cps/
A little preparation will make your days in the classroom go more smoothly. Visit the CalWomenTech Learning Library to find software and other tools to advance your math, spatial reasoning skills and much more. Learn about El Camino Colleges's Tutoring Resources to find out how tutoring can help.
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