Career & Transfer Opportunities
Career Transfer Center
The Career Transfer Center assists students in exploring academic and career options and developing strategies to pursue those options. Individual appointments and group counseling sessions are available for students seeking career planning assistance. This office also schedules visits by firms to recruit seniors and alumni for permanent positions. Companies come to the campus to interview students primarily in February, March, and April. Assistance includes counseling on presenting oneself in an interview, preparing a personal resume, and networking with employers. Although the college can assist students in finding job opportunities, the primary responsibility for obtaining employment rests with the individual. Students should seek summer employment in the field in which they are majoring, since this will increase their choice of jobs after graduation. Naturally, a major factor in employment is good on-the-job performance. The Career Transfer Center maintains a library of employer, college, job hunting, and career information resources. Students may take advantage of an electronic job posting system called Vermont Tech Connections. They can create accounts, search for jobs with employers and link with alumni for mentoring. The center also has Choices, a computer assisted career guidance system, as well as scholarship software. Students unsure about their major field of study can seek professional counseling.Employment Opportunities
Engineering technology is one of the fastest growing fields of education. Several decades ago, industrial managers, pressed by the growing shortage of graduate engineers, recognized the need for engineering technicians to assist engineers in performing tasks and projects.
This recognition by industry and by education led to the development of two-year programs in engineering technology. The success of the graduates from these two-year, college-level programs created demand by industry, government, and small businesses for applications-oriented engineering technicians and for graduates such as veterinary technicians who possess related technical skills.
Aeronautical Engineering Technology graduates can find employment in aeronautical and aerospace related businesses and other job fields requiring strong skills in materials technology.
Agricultural Technology (Agribusiness Management and Dairy Farm Management) graduates take such positions as herd managers, field managers, farm managers, breeding technicians, store manager trainees, farm supply salespeople, farm owners or partners, meat inspectors, feed technologists, milk testers, or agricultural sales representatives.
Applied Technology graduates are normally employed by the sponsoring organization and are preparing for advancement within their degree field.
Architectural and Building Engineering Technology graduates become architectural draftspeople, estimators, building materials and equipment sales representatives, contractors' assistants, plant engineering aides, construction expediters, or assistants to project managers or building inspectors.
Architectural Engineering Technology graduates can find employment in all areas of the building engineering, facilities management, or construction industries. Graduates are qualified to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) examination and for work in such fields as construction, facilities management, or engineering services, experience needed by those who plan to earn the Professional Engineer (P.E.) designation and pursue engineering careers.
Automotive Technology graduates will find ample opportunity for rewarding positions and personal growth in the automotive service industry working for automotive manufacturers, dealerships, independent repair facilities, or equipment manufacturers. The program was developed with the support and encouragement of the Vermont Automobile Dealers Association.
Business Technology & Management graduates accept positions as accounting specialists, staff accountants, office managers, executive assistants, sales and customer service managers, marketing and communication coordinators, project managers, or small business owners.
Civil & Environmental Engineering Technology graduates find employment as construction surveyors, construction managers, material testers, structural engineering draftspeople, estimators, bridge and highway design technicians, environmental design technicians, or salespeople for engineering products and equipment.
Computer Engineering Technology graduates enter the number one technological growth occupation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With an integrated hardware/software background, graduates of the associate's program find positions at all levels of systems manufacturing, field service, software development, and maintenance. Bachelor's degree graduates are qualified as advanced computer hardware technicians/engineers programmers, advanced network and system administrators, or other specialized, technical positions in the broad spectrum of information technology career options.
Computer Information Technology and Software Engineering graduates are prepared for a broad range of employment opportunities, including computer and information systems managers, management analysts, computer system designers, forensic computer analysts, software engineers, website designers and developers, or software publishers.
Construction Practice & Management graduates are prepared for entry-level management positions in the construction industry or for advancement in a full range of construction organizations, specialty subcontractors as well as general contractors, large corporations as well as small proprietorships.
Dental Hygiene graduates can expect a high level of professional demand from employers in the private dental practice setting. Graduates pursuing a bachelor's degree will further expand their opportunities to work in alternative settings such as public health, education, research, or dental sales.
Diesel Power Technology graduates are prepared to enter the repair, parts, or management aspects of the diesel power service industry. There is increasing demand for skilled diesel service technicians within the agricultural, heavy-duty truck, and earthmoving equipment service industries.
Electrical Engineering Technology graduates work in jobs with titles such as electronics technician, quality control technician, design technician, assistant to an engineer, test technician, research and development technician, technical aide, computer technician, production engineering technician, field service technician, or calibration technician.
Electromechanical Engineering Technology graduates are in unprecedented demand in manufacturing, test, and development areas of companies, providing a broad range of electronics and computer related products. Manufacturing, equipment development and maintenance, product field service, engineering development support, or test and quality control are but a few of the areas of opportunity for graduates of this program.
Equine Studies graduates are prepared in direct equine service facilities, including barn manager, instructor, or assistant trainer. Job opportunities in businesses supporting the equine industry include: equine consultant, sales, marketing, specialized service provider, and many others, limited only by the graduate's imagination.
Fire Science graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in firefighting, fire protection services, or affiliated professions.
General Engineering Technology graduates are normally employed by the sponsoring organization and are preparing for advancement within their degree field.
Landscape Development & Ornamental Horticulture graduates find a variety of employment opportunities as landscape designers, contractors, maintenance personnel, greenhouse growers, plant propagators, perennial growers, nursery and garden center operators, salespeople for horticultural products, or technicians for state and federal regulatory agencies.
Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates are employed as process engineering technicians, mechanical designers, computer modeling and design technicians, engineers' assistants, field service technicians, tool designers, or industrial engineering technicians.
Nursing graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and are prepared to provide nursing care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other comparable health agencies under the supervision of more experienced practitioners.
Practical Nursing graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, and are prepared for employment in hospitals, nursing homes, or other comparable health care agencies under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Respiratory Therapy graduates are employed in hospital specialty areas such as labor and delivery, intensive care units, pulmonary function laboratories, sleep laboratories, extra corporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECG testing. Respiratory therapists also may find employment in the home-care field, rehabilitation agencies, nursing homes, or physicians' offices.
Sustainable Design & Technology graduates will be prepared to work in technical fields related to their associate's degree and to work with newer sustainable technologies as project managers or technical staff.
Veterinary Technology graduates find employment with animal hospitals performing office duties, laboratory testing, and assisting veterinarians in animal care.
Transfer to Bachelor's Degree Programs
The TRIO Career/Transfer Counselors can give assistance to students who are thinking of continuing their education in a four-year program after obtaining their associate's degree. For students interested in continuing in a Vermont Tech bachelor's program refer to Vermont Tech bachelor options on pages 27 and 28. For students interested in bachelor's programs other than those offered at Vermont Tech, the college has developed articulation agreements with a number of excellent colleges and universities to facilitate admission for Vermont Tech graduates who meet the program and grade point requirements of the receiving institution.
Many other institutions offering a bachelor's degree in engineering technology accept Vermont Tech graduates with full junior standing. In the agricultural technologies, full transfer credit is available at the University of Vermont and other universities. Associate's degree in nursing graduates with a 2.50 GPA or higher may transfer to the University of Vermont. However, students should be aware that transfer decisions are made by the receiving institution.
Students considering further education should discuss course selection and other academic questions with their academic advisors and the TRIO Career/Transfer Counselor, because certain courses may enhance their ability to transfer.