If there’s one area that’s always ‘under construction’ at South Texas College it’s the courses within the Business, Public Safety, and Technology division. That’s not because anything was broken, but because these fields produce future employees into some of the fastest moving and constantly modernizing careers.
“This division is focused on career-oriented programs. Almost all of our programs are very hands-on and students are always learning about some of the latest technology,” said Sara Lozano, Point of Contact for the Business, Public Safety, and Technology division. “We have to be forward-thinking in everything we teach our students. Most of our Associate of Applied Science Degrees take about 2 years to complete, so we need to think at least 2-5 years in advance. If it’s going to take a few years to be out in the industry we have to be ahead of the game so our students are prepared when they graduate.”
She had a lot to say about how the architectural program operates on the cutting edge to ensure students enter the field with up-to-date skills.
“It’s one of those programs that over the last five years we made some significant changes to the curriculum and tried to address what the needs are of the industry,” Lozano said. “If you go into any of our classes you’ll find a mix of students ranging in age from 18-19, to those in their 40s or older. We hear these kinds of stories from any given program within our division.”
Different age and skill levels working in unison allows individuals from all backgrounds and experience a chance
to develop.
“For example in the HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration) industry we hear stories of people who have owned their own business, or their family business, but as the technology has advanced they need to kind of refresh or stay up to date with what those advancements are,” Lozano said.
“We have individuals who have worked in certain industries behind a desk and are ready to move into something more
hands-on,” Lozano said. “Those are individuals we see starting second careers. They want to take the courses and do it more as a career change.”
From Welding to Diesel Technology, to Fire Safety and Cyber Security there are a plethora of Valley residents turning their skills into certificates and education and
vice versa.
On the business side of the division, South Texas College offers programs in culinary arts, business administration and paralegal to name a few.
“What’s incredible is those individuals that have had the experience but maybe don’t have the educational degree to show it. All of their education comes from their first-hand experience. What they’re able to bring to the classroom, the insight that they have, the experience that they have just adds to the learning that’s taking place in the classroom for everybody, instructors included.”
Thanks to the constant mix of adult learners and fresh-out-of-high school students there is a powerful mix of anecdotal wisdom and youthful excitement being used as learning tools.
“A lot of times we tell ourselves we need to stay up to date but it’s also really important to remind students how this field has evolved over the years,” Lozano said. “Every single student brings something unique and special to the classroom; whether it’s having little to no experience but having that interest or having years of experience without the educational background. You think of all those elements in the classroom. It brings a unique experience for each student to take with them when they start working.”
