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- Our automotive technology
program actually started
when the school was built back in the 60s.
It was definitely necessary to branch out
and evolve into a much
more high-tech, high-wage
career path for young men and women.
- When I started to think
about coming back to school,
I actually found that Rio
Hondo had gotten the approval
to have a bachelor's program
in automotive technology.
- The two year degree basically
covers bumper to bumper.
All eight areas through
the Automotive Service
Excellence certification program
and recently we've just incorporated
a four year bachelor's of science degree
in automotive technology
which we're very proud of.
- You don't necessarily have
to get your associate's degree,
you can just specialize in different works
involving the field.
- My name's Albert Lopez, and
my major is auto technology.
When I walked in, I'd never really had
any major experience working
with cars or vehicles
and seeing all the
different types of tools,
the hoist, the alignment machines,
I was really impressed.
- The focus of the four year degrees
or two year AS degrees as
your freshman/sophomore year,
learning about the technology
and being a technician,
and for those who are interested
in pursuing their four year degree,
the junior/senior level
courses focus mainly
on management either in the business track
or on the technical side.
- Well they have the Honda
and Acura P.A.C.T. program,
where you can work
directly with that company.
- Because we live in a
transportation-related society,
you can get a really good high-paying job
right off the bat either
with a certificate
or our two year degree.
So we bring real world
high-tech, high-wage curriculum
into the program.
- They also have a really good
fuel cell technology program
I'm hoping to get into
after my associate's degree.
I wanna try to get in
with either Tesla or BMW
because they're, you know, advancing
in the fuel cell technology
and with the self-driving cars.
- Compared to some of your
private schools out there
that offer similar programs,
the community college system
in the state of California
is extremely affordable.
We have a wonderful group of people here
that can help you find financial aid,
either through grants, loans, or waivers.
- The opportunity to
learn about this equipment
and to use it, especially
with your own vehicle too,
because they allow you to
bring your own vehicle.
- We feel like we're very
close-knit as a family here,
helping all of our student body out.
We're constantly updating.
We're on the forefront
of the new technologies.
In my opinion, the auto
tech program at Rio Hondo
is the best in the state.
Obviously we wouldn't have been selected
for the four year degree if
we weren't at least up there
in the top five.
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- The bachelor's of science
degree in automotive technology
is designed to prepare
you for a wide variety
of technology-based careers
within the transportation industry.
The degree will allow you to select
from two different tracks,
technical studies along
with business and marking.
If you're interested in
automotive technology,
begin by taking courses such as Auto 101,
which introduces you to the
automotive's service and repair
along with Auto 106 which is
automotive electrical tools
and diagnostic procedures.
Equally important are taking
English and math courses.
You'll need to decide what
automotive technology courses
you'll be taking in order to complete
the minimum admission requirements
to complete your upper-division coursework
at Rio Hondo college.
Graduates from this degree earn careers
as automotive service managers,
overseeing service departments
at car dealerships,
or automotive shops where
you'll be hiring, training,
and managing employees.
You can also become a training
and development manager,
who creates, administers, and
delivers training programs
for auto manufacturers.
If you're interested in this program,
be sure to maintain a strong GPA
and meet with a counselor to
develop your education plan.
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