September 27, 2006
by Jessica Santina
Local Education Columnist
According to the Birmingham Business Journal, Birmingham, Alabama is one of the country's "most connected cities" when it comes to Internet access. Alabama is 10th in the nation for its number of free WiFi access locations, or "hotspots," and more than half of them are in the Greater Birmingham area.
Birmingham has clearly embraced change--particularly in the realm of wireless technology. That's probably why the city now ranks among the Southeast's most important business centers. The American City Business Journals' Top 10 Metro Areas, which were chosen for their income growth, ranked Birmingham 7th.
When it comes to technical training in the ASCETT, a specialized associate's degree program in computers, electronics and telecommunications technology, Birmingham's technical programs just might have what you're looking for.
What is the ASCETT?An associate's degree in computers, electronics, and telecommunications technology (ASCETT) prepares students for a variety of positions in the computer or electronics industries. This might include telecommunications, avionics, aerospace, entertainment or even robotics. Such technical programs can be completed in just five semesters, and provide instruction in electronics fundamentals, digital electronics, computer networking and A+ Certification.
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With technical training from an ASCETT program, your earnings could greatly exceed the average for private industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Putting Your ASCETT to UseIf there's one industry that's at the forefront of the information age, it's telecommunications. Because the technology in this field is changing so rapidly, the BLS says that those whose skills are most up-to-date, generally through formal technical programs, will have the best job opportunities.
Although the telecom industry was once primarily made up of telephone workers, a growing segment of the industry is devoted to wireless technology-- from cell phones to satellite dishes, WiFi to iPod. The BLS says the need for highly trained workers in the telecommunications field should find good opportunities as the world moves further into the information age.
And if you have training from one of Birmingham's technical programs, you'll be wired for career success!
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About the Author
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.
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