By academic standards, scoring a 98 or 100 percent is quite an achievement. Placing 98 to 100 percent of your graduates in jobs – with an average starting salary of $37,000 – in these economic times is even more amazing.
But that's exactly what's happening at the college some have begun referring to as the area's best kept secret. Gwinnett Technical College is blowing away the numbers. Over the last three years, the college has recorded double-digit enrollment growth for 13 consecutive quarters. Last year, it was ranked as the 20th fastest growing public two-year college in the nation. Today, enrollment for the most recent period is up 25 percent, with GTC serving over 22,000 students through its credit, continuing education and adult education programs.
Gwinnett Tech opened its doors in 1984 with the mission to provide students in the area with an education that would lead directly to a rewarding career. Almost 26 years later, from the looks of things on a recent campus tour packed with students of all ages and aspirations, GTC gets it done – and then some.
Career-Focused Education
Gwinnett Tech's growth can be directly attributed to the increasing demand for business-smart education – education that prepares students for jobs as soon as they graduate. A campus tour clearly leaves prospective students with the impression that job placement will actually be embedded into their curriculum. Signage and plaques reflecting the college's relationships with some of the area's largest employers can be seen throughout classrooms, hallways and lobbies.
Most of the college's 160 plus programs of study have required internships and clinicals that offer students the opportunity to network with professionals. Some get hired permanently upon graduation. Others are placed through GTC's Career Services Center, which helps with resume preparation, mock interviewing, job search and placement. Not only do 98 to 100 percent of these grads get placed, they're in demand.
"I'm a graduate of Gwinnett Tech and have had the chance to hire many surgical techs from the college," said Rusty Jackson, sterile processing department coordinator at Gwinnett Medical Center. "Certification in your field plays a major role in your success, therefore Gwinnett Tech graduates go into their fields with a career mindset. I have had nothing but great experience with GTC new hires."
In addition to Gwinnett Medical Center, GTC's academic programs have relationships with companies throughout the community, including Immucor, NCR, MIS Solutions, UPS, Office Depot, SunTrust Bank, and EMS Technology. The college has also partnered with the Governor's Office of Workforce Development on Georgia's WorkReady program, a certification that gives prospective employees an advantage in the job market. Leadership at GTC is also very involved with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and other economic development efforts. The college sponsors and participates regularly in technology forums attended by major companies in the community.
The multi-million dollar Busbee Center – a state-of-the art complex with meeting and event/exhibit space and an advanced technology center – is a shining example of Gwinnett Tech's continuing partnership with private, government and corporate sectors.
Yet more exciting, Gwinnett Tech President Sharon Bartels has had an active role over the last several years planning the Innovation Crescent – a 13-county Atlanta-to-Athens life sciences corridor that is marketed to draw companies to the area and will require a strong talent pool to fill thousands of jobs. With an eye to supporting this economic development plan, GTC recently broke ground for a new Life Sciences Center that will open in fall 2011 with 78,000 square feet of innovative learning space for life science and healthcare professionals. During the tour, students hurried by on their way to class while bulldozers rattled and hummed in the background, clearing the land for a promising future on so many levels.
Traditional, Non-Traditional or Best of Both?
Many high school seniors or adults seeking additional education may not think of Gwinnett Tech as a traditional college choice. But the campus – minus dorms and athletics facilities – offers many of the amenities and programs found on traditional college campuses throughout Georgia. A variety of state and federal financial aid is available, including Georgia's HOPE Scholarship and HOPE Grant programs.
Gwinnett Tech was one of the first technical colleges in the state to be accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
On campus, you'll find offices for registration, financial aid and advisement all housed conveniently in a one-stop center for students. There's also a media center, computer lab, bookstore and a food court serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The student center is filled with groups gathered on comfy sofas and chairs, there's a big screen TV and the requisite video game hangout surrounded by guys immersed in animated play. All through the campus – which is smoke-free – posters announce study groups, tutoring and club meetings. There are photos from school-wide events, competitions and community projects.
What's different at GTC then? The real difference is in the student body. There are the traditional students: some 42 percent of students who come right from high school or shortly thereafter with aspirations to get their degree or certification and start working as soon as possible. Some will get diplomas or certifications in three to 18 months, some will complete their two-year associate degree, and some will eventually continue on to four-year colleges and universities to continue their education. And then there's a significantly growing group of students age 30-50. This second group of older students consists primarily of career-changers, displaced (or laid-off) workers and those going back to school to provide additional financial support for their families. In fact, more than half of GTC students have had some prior college experience. Overall, students throughout the various programs we visited appeared to be more intense and more focused than the typical college student.
"The difference here is quite simple," explains David McCulloch, GTC's vice president of recruitment and marketing. "Students at a four-year institution are there to get an education. Students at Gwinnett Tech are here to learn and land a job."
With the Technical College System of Georgia changing from quarters to semesters in fall 2011, the possibilities are endless. The change will make it even easier for technical college students in Georgia to transfer credits seamlessly to other Georgia institutions, or to the 80 percent of public and private colleges and universities across the U.S. that follow a semester calendar.
This change to semesters also makes high school dual and joint enrollment programs with Gwinnett Tech a promising choice for those seeking a shorter path to their degree and the workplace. Those students undecided about what to do with their lives can begin their studies at GTC and have the option to transfer easily to other institutions. "Because of this ease of transfer both ways, we're already beginning to see what's called 'swirling' from four-year to two-year and back to four-year schools," said McCulloch.
Find Your Passion, Land Your Dream Job
So many options, so little time – this is absolutely the truth at Gwinnett Tech. There are 160 program options in 14 major sectors offering diplomas, certifications and degrees in two years or less. Those on the tour are told that early advising is key. A few already know what they would like to study and state this confidently in the informal introductions that take place when the group first gathers. Since most are not quite sure, prospective students are advised to use interest assessment tools like Myers-Briggs testing, a career and personality inventory, available free at GTC.
"We want students to spend some time thinking about what they want to do with their life," said McCulloch. "They may know what their passion or interest is, but not how to transfer it to a job. We are here to help with that."
An example might be the student who loves playing video games. At Gwinnett Tech, you can take that passion and turn it into a degree in Computer Simulation/Game Developer. In fact, the same computer simulation technology used in video games is now used in a growing number of computer applications. Factor in starting job salaries in the $40Ks, and it could turn out to be a fast path to high paying job doing what you love.
A student who loves to cook or bake could turn their passion into a GTC degree in Culinary Arts – currently one of the top job opportunities in the restaurant-plentiful Atlanta metro area. One who loves children could spend two years at Gwinnett Tech and leave with an Early Childhood Care and Education degree that will enable them to be the lead teacher at a local preschool. Another who loves to travel could major in a variety of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management programs and have a world of job choices at their feet upon graduation in two years or less.
Addicted to crime shows? Have a green thumb? Fascinated by fashion or interior design? Love caring for animals, playing sports, building things, taking photos or doing your friends' hair? These passions are all things that can translate to a degree, diploma or certificate and lead relatively quickly to a job in a field that you know you'll enjoy. Some, like the automotive programs, even offer paid internships to GTC students during their course of study.
Gwinnett Tech also offers a great selection of business and finance programs ranging from business administration to accounting, marketing and even entrepreneurship. But, the tour guide tells the group they must have super good grades for the most popular program: healthcare. GTC's programs in the health sciences are rigorous and highly respected by local employers. More than 40 percent of the college's students are enrolled in one of Gwinnett Tech's nine existing health science programs. The new Life Sciences Center will enable the college to expand both programs offered and students enrolled.
Among the tour group, the initial tentativeness seems to have disappeared. Faces of prospective students are excited as they talk about their career plans. A few linger to ask more about application procedures. But the majority leave smiling, inspired about the world of possibilities they've just been presented. A good degree, a dream job – right here in Gwinnett.
For more info, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580
Train for these careers at Gwinnett Tech
- AUTOMOTIVE
- Automotive Technician
- Diesel Technician
- Toyota, Chrysler or Nissan Specialist
- BUSINESS & FINANCE
- Accountant
- Banking and Finance
- Business Administration
- Business Technology
- E-Commerce Marketer
- Entrepreneur
- General Office Assistant
- Human Resource Specialist
- Marketing Manager
- Microsoft Office Applications Professional
- Medical Office Assistant
- Small Business Manager
- Sport & Recreation Manager
- Technical Communications Specialist
- COMPUTER SCIENCES
- Cisco Network Specialist
- Computer Programmer
- Computer Service Technician
- Computer Simulation/Game Developer
- Cyber Crime Specialist
- Data Center Specialist
- Java Programmer
- Linux/Unix Systems Administrator
- Internet-Web Designer
- Information Security Specialist
- Network Administrator or Specialist
- PC Repair and Network Technician
- CONSTRUCTION
- Air Conditioning Technician
- Building Inspector
- CAD Technician
- Carpenter or Finish Carpenter
- Residential or Commercial Construction Manager
- Construction Estimator
- Contract Administrator
- Drafter (Mechanical or Architectural)
- COSMETOLOGY
- Cosmetologist
- CULINARY ARTS AND HOTEL, RESTAURANT & TOURISM MANAGEMENT
- Basic Pastry Chef
- Sous Chef
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Hospitality Events Specialist
- Hotel Manager
- Prep Cook
- Tourism Manager
- Travel Agency Specialist
- EARLY EDUCATION
- Childhood Development Specialist
- Early Childhood Teacher or Paraprofessional
- Early Childhood Program Administrator
- HEALTH SCIENCES
- Bioscience/Biotechnology Research
- Bioscience Environmental Laboratory Technologist
- Bioscience Regulatory Assurance Technologist
- Clinical Research Professional
- Computed Tomography Clinical Specialist
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Lab Technician
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Specialist
- Medical Assistant
- Radiologic Technologist
- Registered Nurse (ADN)
- Respiratory Therapist
- Surgical Technician
- HORTICULTURE
- Environmental Horticulturist
- Floral Designer
- Horticulture Installation Technician
- Landscape Design Technician
- MACHINE TOOL & WELDING
- Basic Machining Operator
- CNC Setup and Programmer
- Machine Tool Specialist
- Welder
- PUBLIC SAFETY & SERVICE
- Criminal Justice
- EMT
- Firefighter
- Paramedic Technician
- VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY
- Veterinary Technician
- VISUAL ARTS, FASHION & DESIGN
- Commercial Photographer
- Digital Imaging Specialist
- Fashion Marketer
- Interior Designer
- Visual Merchandiser
