Options for Beyond FIRST Tech Challenge - Choose Your Career Pathway Part 2: Education

Certifications 

Preparing for the workforce often requires proving your skills.  Certifications within your specialty is a great way to show your skill level.  Many colleges include these as part of their degree program, but you can seek out certifications on your own, as well. Here are just a few that fit with the technical skills developed in FIRST Tech Challenge: 

Computer Science 

Cisco certifications are tiered based on level of knowledge. 

Oracle certifications are offered in a wide range of specialties, including Java. 

Google Developers Certification offers an Associate Android Developer exam. 

Microsoft offers a wide variety of professional certifications based on role. 

Computer-aided Design (CAD) Software 

Most CAD software companies offer a certification of their products.   

Onshape provides certified associate and professional exams. 

Solidworks provides an extensive options in mechanical design, electrical and beyond. 

Autodesk provides options for different levels and career opportunities from architecture to product design. 

Marketing, Communications and Outreach 

Microsoft Office certifications are offered for most of their products. 

Adobe certificates are extensive from graphic design to analytics. 

Trade programs 

If you’re a hands-on learner with the motivation to hone your skills into a specialty, a trade school might be just the opportunity you’re looking for. These programs offer degrees or certificates for mechanics, electricians, medical technologists, CAD technician, designer and other types of technicians. The benefits of a trade school are found in the affordability of job ready skills.  Look for trade schools with accreditation. 

                 Two-year degrees 

A two-year degree or associate degree is a job ready pathway attained by passing approximately 20 courses within a specialized, declared major.  Some benefits tuition costs, flexible schedules and close to home. Another great benefit to a two-year degree is credits are often transferrable to a four-year degree or bachelor’s program. 

                 

                  Four-year degrees 

A four-year degree or bachelor degree goes in-depth into a specified field. This is the best option for students with a decisive plan for their career. Skills you’ve learned in FIRST Tech Challenge are the building blocks for careers in many engineering field that will require a bachelor degree: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineer, industrial engineer.  These are high-paying technical jobs that are based on the investment of an four year education. 

 

It is your future so make the choice that best fits your career goals as you graduate high school and move onto becoming a FIRST Alum.  There are more options to consider including enlistment and employment so tune into the next section of this blog series next week!  

Elizabeth McClurg

Program Specialist