Certification Program or Associate’s Degree

Ivy Tech Community College offers a wide variety of programs for students of all ages to expand their knowledge and grow their skills. Whether completing a certification program or earning an associate’s degree, students of all ages can find the right coursework, class scheduling, and teaching style to reach their goals. With programs ranging from agriculture to network infrastructure to accounting, Ivy Tech equips its students with hands-on learning and valuable real-world experiences. Certification Program or Associate’s Degree.

After graduating from Purdue University Northwest with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Matt Michel struggled to find a job. Michel’s career aspirations include developing 21st century technology, like lean manufacturing and 3D printing, but all of the jobs he applied for rejected him because he lacked hands-on manufacturing experience.

“I looked into Ivy Tech because I knew it was a credible community college, and it offers so many programs,” Michel said. “I had to shift around to ensure I was in the right program during the first few weeks, but thanks to Don Baker, who helped me figure it out, I was fully enrolled for the academic year.”

Opportunity to Pursue

Donald “Don” Baker serves as the program chair for machine tool technology and also teaches classes in the subject. He has taught classes on the Valparaiso campus for 11 years. Students interested in this program, like many others at Ivy Tech, have the opportunity to pursue a certificate, technical certificate or associate’s degree through the program.

“It seemed like the hands-on technology that we teach is something that engineering students like Matt lacked during their undergraduate work,” Baker said.

“It can greatly help students getting hired into the workforce because the work in school is theoretical, so having real experience with equipment in the manufacturing industry can distinguish one student from other classmates.”

Before completing the certificate in machine tool technology, Michel secured a job with Hitachi Global Air Power and was able to immediately begin after his completion of the program. Currently, he is an associate designer in Michigan City where he uses computer-aided design software to make parts that get machined or entire assemblies.

“In the one year that I was a student at Ivy Tech, they made sure that I was prepared for the workforce and spared no feelings in letting you know what to expect,” Michel said.

Students who begin pursuing a certificate program have the opportunity to change to a technical certificate or associate’s degree at any point without missing credits.

“It is a carefully crafted system to make sure that students are enhancing their skills with each new level of credential without any loss of credits along their pathway,” Baker said.

Baker and Michel have created a strong professional relationship, both crediting the other for helping the program prove successful and effective. They hope that other students looking to enhance their education will look at Ivy Tech’s many program offerings and consider pursuing one.

“I would encourage anyone looking to enhance their skill set to check out our programs,” Baker said. “Mechanical engineering students, for example, should explore how hands-on experience with machining can enhance their theoretical engineering training and distinguish themselves as candidates in engineering careers.”

Certification Leads to Workforce

Michel credits the one year he spent earning a certification at Ivy Tech with his ability to enter the workforce in his desired field. He wholly recommends Ivy Tech for undergraduate or graduate work because of their vast resources, patient teachers and career readiness resources.

Since completing his certification, Michel has been back on the Ivy Tech Valparaiso campus to attend advisory board meetings and to recruit students for his company.

“I owe the start of my career to Don Baker,” Michel said. “He is, in my opinion, what a good teacher should be: attentive, willing to work with students and patient. I don’t think I would be where I am today if he hadn’t taken a leap of faith with me. He is one of the reasons I like going back to campus so much, because I want to give back to him what he gave to me.”

Source: Certification Program or Associate’s Degree

For more information on Ivy tech Community College, please visit ivytech.edu.

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