fasttrack

San Jacinto College offers numerous “fast track” programs at each of its three campuses that can have graduates ready for entry-level positions with just one semester of training. Credit hours in most of the fast track programs can be applied toward a higher certificate or associate degree, allowing many students to work while completing college.

Fast track programs are available in a variety of fields, from emergency medical technician and business, to automotive technology and cosmetology.

These programs provide busy students flexibility and ways to improve their lives. “Our faculty and curriculum specialists have been developing what we call ‘stackable’ certificates,” commented Dr. Allatia Harris, San Jacinto College vice chancellor of strategic initiatives. “We put the learner on a fast track to employment that can improve a family’s income in just one semester.”

Dr. Harris says the one-semester occupational certificates can be a ticket into a new field of employment. “Then, while working in a new job, someone can continue studies to earn another certification or a degree,” she remarked. “Each certification represents mastery of new skillsets that improve job prospects and career opportunities.”

The curriculum design allows students to customize the pace for career moves. “One person may choose to move quickly to acquire job-related skills that lead to a degree,” Dr. Harris said. “Another may elect to earn a certificate, work for a year, and come back to school later to enhance skills and earn additional certifications. We have a great job market here in Houston, and the more skills and certifications of mastery someone has, the better the opportunities for advancement.”

Opportunity to quickly advance in a new career field is exactly what Christian Cardenas-Gonzalez was looking for when he enrolled for fast track training in the College’s pipefitting fabricator program. His ultimate career goal is to be an engineer for a company like Chevron or Shell, so he plans to continue with his education beyond San Jacinto College. To pay for his university education, his plans are to earn a pipefitting fabricator Marketable Skills Achievement Award at San Jacinto College and get a pipefitting fabricator job in a local plant.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Labor Market and Career Information tracer indicates that pipefitting fabricator jobs are one of the highest demand craft trade career fields in the Texas Gulf Coast area. According to TWC, the median annual salary for pipefitters in this area is $49,093, or $23.60 per hour.

San Jacinto College fast-track areas of concentration include:

Allied Health

• Emergency Medical Technician Basic

Cosmetology

• Hair Weaving and Braiding

• Eyelash extensions

Construction Trades

• Air conditioning technology

• Electrical Technology Occupational Certificate

• Instrumentation Analyzer Marketable Skills Achievement Certificate

• Quality Assurance Technology Occupational Certificate

• Stick Pipe Welder Occupational Certificate

• Structural Welder Occupational Certificate

• Structural Welder Occupational Certificate

• Pipefitting Fabricator Marketable Skills Achievement Certificate

Automotive Technology

• Chrysler Marketable Skills Achievement Award

• Ford Marketable Skills Achievement Award

Real Estate

• Occupational Certificate – allows students to take the state licensure exam at the end of the semester

Business and IT

• Computer Information Technology – Computer Hardware Support Occupational Certificate

• Business Office Technology – Office Assistant Marketable Skills Achievement Award

• Business Office Technology – Executive Administrative Assistant Occupational Certificate

Rob Vanya