I just completed an associates degree and now Im working in manufacturing. I want to go back and study CNC machining at my community college.
What would be better to have? A CNC Operator certificte or Associates of Applied Science in CNC Manufacturing Technology?
My current associates is in Computer Information Systems
I would think the Associates of Applied Science in CNC Manufacturing Technology would do you more good.
“The pursuit of collegiate educations should be a quest for wealth, not happiness.”
(i.e computer science, finance, medicine, etc…) This is not intended to come off as an elitist statement, but rather a point on what the return-of-investment in a college education should be.
Now with that out of the way, a certificate is never as good as a degree on paper to some/most hiring managers who don’t understand that actual work experience trumps any academic experience.
If you don’t wish to pursue the associates, then the cert. is the next best thing to get your foot in the door, and not be assigned to de-burr or floor sweeping right away. (That will depend on the company).
Last but not least, if college is good for anything, it is NETWORKING. I’ve experienced first hand on how important that is; so if you’re lucky, your professor could help you land a job in the CNC industry.
You mentioned you’re working in manufacturing right now, what are you doing exactly?
Have a good day.
Hello. Thank you for your comment.
I work for a pipe manufacturing company. They are training me to run manuel lathe. We dont have CNC machines but I have taken machining coursework at college. My company also offers tuition reimbursment if I want to take classes.
I was trying to use my information systems degree to get a programming job in java or c++, but somehow ended up doing machining & mechanic work, which I love doing. I think it would be faster to get the certificate first then the degree since I already have an associates degree. Maybe I could get both if my company pays for it? (;