The innovative, forward-looking products and solutions that come out of advanced technology industries help keep our country competitive in the global economy. The people who work in these industries enjoy well-paying careers that offer both challenge and excitement.

In this lesson, you'll explore the range of industries in advanced technology. You'll meet people at the cutting edge of their field, discover programs that train and develop tomorrow's workers, and find out the knowledge and skills you'll need to prepare yourself for a rewarding career. You'll also develop a personal mission statement—a description of how you see yourself in the future. With help from your teacher or advisor, you may even gain valuable firsthand experience while you're still in high school.

The education and work experience of advanced technology professionals vary considerably. For some, formal education ended with high school. Others completed a two- or four-year program at a college or university. Most scientists and engineers hold master's and doctoral degrees. Many who make their living today in advanced technology started in other job fields. For them, and for students just beginning to plot their career path, growth potential is a key motivating factor.

In this video, you'll meet students in a wind energy technology program at a community college. They explain why they chose this program and describe their experiences. Click "VIEW" on the left to watch the video.

After watching the video, write down three reasons why these students are excited about their career prospects.

Advanced technology workers typically begin in entry-level positions. Over time, they may progress to positions with greater responsibility and higher pay.

In this video, you'll meet Travis Blackwell. Field service engineers like Travis are hands-on workers. They test, fix, replace, and monitor equipment and machinery. They often work on a factory floor, keeping vital systems running. They may also work behind the scenes in repair shops or in labs. Click "VIEW" on the left to watch the video.

After watching the video, describe three different skills that Travis displays in the video that illustrate some of his responsibilities as a field service engineer.

Managers and supervisors are in charge of assembling, modifying, repairing, or processing a product. They oversee standards of quality, production methods, and worker training, as well as budgets, supplies, and equipment.

Because supervisors often manage teams across more than one department, they must ensure the flow of communication among all groups. In this video, Jennifer Brinkley-Cruz explains her responsibilities as a manufacturing specialist and discusses the importance of her welding education in landing this supervisory position. Click "VIEW" on the left to watch the video.

After watching the video, describe how Jennifer's education and experience prepared her for her job.

So how do you get from high school to a career in an advanced technology field? If you've ever read job postings, you've probably noticed that education is undeniably important. To qualify as a technician, you need at least a high school diploma and often a two-year associate's degree from a community college or technical school. To qualify for many manager and supervisor positions, you may need several years of experience, professional certification, and/or a four-year bachelor's degree.

While an associate's degree can get you into the high-tech workforce, it can also serve as a bridge to a bachelor's degree. In most cases, credits earned at a community college can be transferred into a four-year degree program.

Advanced technology programs offered by community colleges and technical schools across the country are valued links between you and the companies that will one day hire you. In fact, these schools are the main providers of education for technicians.

In this video, a supervisor and a human resources manager from TRUMPF, Inc., an industrial laser manufacturer, explain the qualities and educational experience they look for in their technical employees. Click "VIEW" on the left to watch the video.

After watching the video, explain why Sharon Woodrow says industry recruiters like her look to graduates of community colleges to fill technical positions.

By blending lecture classes with hands-on labs, community colleges and technical schools prepare students for work they will be doing when they graduate. This valuable mix of academic and practical instruction often costs less than education at state or private colleges and universities. In addition, classes may be smaller than at a university, allowing for more student-teacher interaction.

In this video, Ashley Baur, an engineering graphics student, explains how the community college she attends meets her career goals and her budget and scheduling needs. Click "VIEW" on the left to watch the video.

After watching the video, jot down some of the ways in which community college has helped Ashley get started in her chosen career field.

High school science and mathematics classes will help prepare you for a bright future in advanced technology. If you decide to pursue a two- or four-year degree, you should concentrate on the "STEM" subjects: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Because advanced technology professionals frequently interact with team members, other departments, and clients, advanced technology programs enhance their science and mathematics curricula with courses in writing and public speaking. In this video, you will see that, while strong mathematics and technical skills are highly prized in aspiring technicians, so too are communication skills. Click "VIEW" on the left to watch the video.

After watching the video, describe two on-the-job scenarios that demonstrate the importance of strong communication skills for biomedical repair technicians.

Employers value practical experience gained prior to full-time employment. So finding workplace experience while you're still in school should be a priority. You can do this in community college—and maybe even while still in high school. Internships, cooperative education programs (co-ops), job shadowing, and competitions offer opportunities to learn from working professionals and to apply academic knowledge in a real-world context. Working as part of an operational team, you may gain invaluable practice designing, manufacturing, problem solving, and more. These opportunities may also help you decide if a particular career field is right for you and help you focus your future education.

First, watch the video about job shadowing, called Biotechnology Student Profile. After you've watched this video, check out the other two videos, which explain the ins and outs of internships and co-ops and show you what it's like to take part in a collegiate automotive engineering competition.

After watching the videos, describe the benefits students can gain by participating in job shadowing, internships or co-ops, and competitions.

If you're interested in:

Producing food more efficiently, managing natural resources, and ensuring healthy living conditions

Designing and producing everything from clothing to computers to cars using advanced equipment, processes, and systems

Fighting diseases, cleaning up the environment, and improving the efficiency and profitability of manufacturing

Planning building and bridge projects, installing navigation systems and X-ray equipment, and keeping jet engines and factory machinery up and running

Using science, engineering, and a whole new approach to innovation and problem solving to reduce the human impact on Earth

Designing, developing, supporting, and managing computer hardware, software, and information networks

Working with structures—such as atoms and molecules—that are measured in nanometers, or billionths of a meter

In this lesson, you have learned about the many fields that use advanced technology, the kinds of people who work or are training to work in these fields, and the education and experience needed to embark on a successful career. You will now complete some activities that will help you further define your interests and lay out an educational and career path that will lead to your goals.

Begin by reviewing your notes. Click "review my work" above and view or print out the screen that pops up.

Final Assignment Instructions

For this assignment, you will develop a personal mission statement on your own. Then, working with a teacher or advisor, you will review career fields that interest you, refine your academic and career goals, and identify a work experience or job shadow opportunity.

Click Planning Your Future in Advanced Technology—Final Assignment (PDF) to begin.