Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

What job opportunities are available to graduates upon completion of this program? What kinds of places hire our grads, and what starting salaries can be expected?
These are some of the most often asked questions from prospective students and parents Lots of information on these subjects are available by simply clicking on the "Results of a 15 Year Survey" topic. But before you go there, here are some things you should be aware of:
1.  Even after two years or more of automotive technology study, graduates still need to get some work experience under their belts to hone their "hand skills" and basic "shop skills" This may typically take another one to three years, but now you are earning an income while you continue to learn. A comparison would be just like a medical doctor must serve an internship before going into practice. Having a part time job, and working over the summer in an auto repair shop while attending Stevens is a real bonus in achieving that goal.
2.  Many graduates move several times during those first few years because of being lured to other shops by higher salaries, and the type of vehicle or system they feel the most comfortable working with. The salaries increase at a much greater rate during that time then many of the other technical programs! Salaries also vary from larger metropolitan areas to little country independent shops. It’s all relative! What we’re trying to say here is that it takes a little time before one can call themselves "a fully cooked automotive technician"! Because there are so many different vehicles, and so many different vehicle systems to learn about, we simply need a bit more time to get there! However, once there, the rewards are well worth the wait!
3.  Once you have reached that plateau, you now have a skill for life! The more you progress, the better the job benefits and salaries get. You should never have to worry about being unemployed, because really good techs are hard to find, and will always be in demand!
4.  Our program, not unlike most others, prepares you for an entry level position as an automotive technician. How quickly you progress after that depends on how much effort you had put into your studies at Stevens, and how willing you are to commit to continued training after graduation. We would of course, like to think that we at Stevens are one of the best at giving you that all around comprehensive understanding of the automobile, its systems, and preparing you to continue the lifelong learning process. The persons that are the most successful in this field consider "on-going training" as a way of life!
5.  Please click on the Results of a 15 year survey that we gave in 1998/99. We are planning an up date survey to be added to those same results. When viewing the salary numbers on the survey, keep in mind that they were in 1998/99 figures, and not today’s!