Electrical Technology

As Tompkins and Cortland county manufacturers turn to electronics as an end product and as a means of controlling production processes, they must widen their search to find men and women trained in electronics. Graduates of the Electrical Technology: Electronics and Computer Systems degree program at TC3 fill the needs of these rapidly expanding local, national, and international companies. Electronics Technicians lay out, build, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify developmental and production electronic components, parts, equipment, and systems, such as computer equipment, missile control instrumentation, electron tubes, test equipment, and machine tool numerical controls, applying theories of electronics, electrical circuitry, engineering mathematics, electronic and electrical testing, and physics.

Educational Choices

Employees in this field have access to a wide variety of high-wage jobs by earning an associate degree in electronic technology. You can continue your education in this field with a four-year bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering. For more information on career choices:

• Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing Labor Statistics
• Electronics Technicians Association International
• CareerZone: Electricians

Education for Electrical Technology at TC3

TC3 offers the associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree, which emphasizes topics such as digital electronics, industrial electronics, linear integrated circuits, microprocessors, and computer software. The modern curriculum and individualized access to state-of-the-art laboratory instruments, computers, and electronic devices are consistently cited by employers as a significant factor in their decisions to hire graduates of the program. The only entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. To do well, however, you must have good mathematical aptitude and analytical skills. You need a minimum of two years of recent high school math to complete the program in two years. Otherwise, you should complete prerequisite math courses before starting the curriculum.

Skills and Tasks

• Read electronic schematics
• Perform mathematical calculations
• Follow detailed instructions
• Use a computer for writing technical documentation
• Use a computer for automated measurement and control
• Design and prototype circuitry, troubleshoot faulty circuitry
• Use sophisticated electronic instrumentation
• Perform precise calibration of circuit parameters
• Solder and de-solder electronic components

Job Titles

• Electronics Technician
• Computer Repair Technician
• Field Service Technician
• Quality Control Technician
• Calibration Technician
• Sales Engineer
• Assistant Engineer

Types of Employers

• Electronic Components and Accessories
• Computer and Office Equipment
• Testing Laboratories
• Research Institutions
• Communication Equipment
• Household Audio and Video Equipment
• Search and Navigation Equipment

Local Companies that Hire

• Axiohm
• Cornell University
• Hi-Speed Checkweigher
• Precision Filters
• The CBORD Group, Inc.
• Evaporated Metal Films
• Borg Warner Automotive
• Pall Trinity Micro
• Inchcape Testing Services (ETL)
• Lockheed-Martin (Owego)
• Hadco (Owego)

Typical Starting Salaries with a two-year degree

• $25,000 to $30,000 (entry-level with no prior experience)
• $30,000 to $40,000 (depending on prior experience)

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