The San Jacinto College Continuing and Professional Development (CPD) division offers a way to break into the world of business in a short amount of time.
The business and professions program offers a variety of courses that allow participants to gain certifications in resume building skills. Many employers often ask for experience or knowledge in such areas as project management and data analysis. David Lewis, director of the CPD business and professions program, said professionals with such skill sets are needed in just about every industry, from information technology to manufacturing and health care.
“We aim to create a more highly-qualified candidate for the job market,” said Lewis. “We make professionals more knowledgeable by giving them the skills they need to walk the walk and talk the talk within industries.”
Courses include payroll specialist, bank teller fundamentals, accounting for small business, human resources, mid-level management, and certified administrative professional. Lewis said two of the most popular certifications sought after include Lean Six Sigma, a process improvement methodology course that shows how data analysis improves efficiencies within a company, and project management. Both of these courses helped Jon Pfeiffer gain employment before graduating from the San Jacinto College construction management program.
“Being able to add the certifications to my resume, I think, definitely helped get attention from employers,” said Pfeiffer, who was recently hired as a project manager for Hunter Buildings and Manufacturing. “I already had plenty of experience, but many employers wanted the proof of project management skills.”
Pfeiffer completed certifications for Lean Six Sigma, green and yellow belt, and two project management courses. Lewis said the ultimate goal of the division has always been to get participates “workforce ready, holding down jobs in a short amount of time.”
Each business and professions course averages six to eight weeks for competition. Instructors are experts in their field who have experience in teaching adults in their career field. The program recently began offering a hybrid-formatted program for human resources management.
Jeannie Peng-Armao
About the Continuing and Professional Development division
This noncredit division of the College provides training for both current and future employees in the professional and technical job sectors, as well as provides participants with open enrollment course options to enhance their lives. Professional and technical training is available through contract training, open enrollment and grant funding. For more information, call 281-476-1838.