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Occupational outlook. Are employers hiring for jobs in this area?
Employers are hiring in this area, and students who obtain entry-level employment
while they are in school develop solid skills by the time they graduate, which
makes them more competitive for job openings. In addition, many new positions
are opening due to the growth in condominium construction throughout the state.
Graduates of the SJCC program have found work at Equity Office, Cold Craft, Inc.,
the Morgan Hill Unified School District, Wyse, Telewave Inc., BO Enterprises, East
Side Union High School, the City of Los Gatos, the City of Hayward, Xilinx Semi
Conductor, the Veteran's Hospital of Palo Alto, Golden Gate Mechanical, AAA
Furnace & Air Conditioning, Alton Air & Heating Inc., Pacific Cooling and Heating,
Cushman and Wakefield, EBay, Jones Lang LaSalle, and the City of San Jose.
Technology background. Can I pursue a career in this field without a background in technology?
Yes you can! You will learn the technology you need during your program. It does
help to have basic computer skills so you are comfortable using a computer to
complete your assignments.
Accessibility for women. Isn't Facilities Maintenance Technology a tough field for women to break into?
Women who enter facilities maintenance technology with a good attitude and a
willingness to learn should have no problem breaking into this field. It's true that
more men than women work in this field today, but that is changing. San Jose City
College has made a special effort to recruit and retain women to meet the growing
demands in facilities maintenance technology. Explore this website for success
stories of role models, e-mentoring, and opportunities to network with women in
technology fields.
Some women enter the field after they've worked at related jobs, such as handling service calls for a commercial real estate company. The program gives them the skills they need to hire and supervise the appropriate skilled contractor for the job.
Receptivity to hiring women. Will employers hire women into male-dominated technology areas?
Absolutely! This is a wide open field for women, and many employers are happy to hire women as Facilities Maintenance technicians. Female graduates of the SJCC program have found work at Equity Office (which owns and operates class A office buildings in multiple markets) and Cold Craft, Inc. (a climate control company in the Bay Area). Other graduates have obtained work with local school districts, city governments, hospitals, real estate companies, mechanical and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) companies, and other corporations with large buildings which require maintenance. We have many employers involved in the CalWomenTech Project. Visit E-Jobs for companies specifically looking to hire women.
Jobs available. What kinds of jobs can I get with a certificate and with an A.S. degree?
Graduates of both the certificate and A.S. degree qualify for jobs as:
- Commercial facilities maintenance technician
- Residential facilities maintenance technician
- Installer or repair person for a service company
- Salesperson for building systems and equipment
- Administrator taking service calls and arranging repairs in commercial real estate or residential facilities.
Salaries. What kind of salary can I expect?
Students with just two or three courses in the Facilities Maintenance Technology program can expect to earn $14 to $15 per hour at entry-level jobs in the field. Graduates without work experience can also expect an hourly rate of $15. New graduates of the certificate or A.S. degree with related experience can expect to earn $19 to $24 per hour. The average salaries for facilities maintenance technicians range from $27 to $37 per hour with up to six years of experience.
More information. Where can I learn more about technology careers and what they're like for women?
You'll find a great deal of information on this website about women in technology careers. For starters, you can find a female mentor at e-mentoring, join our e-mail list for women students at San Jose City College, network with other women at a Women in HVACR meeting, and read success stories about other women in this and related fields.
You could also check out websites for the labor unions involved in facilities maintenance: plumbers, pipefitters and sheetmetal workers (who tend to work more on construction projects), and stationary engineers (who tend to work inhouse) Visit the state of California's Division of Apprenticeship Standards to explore possible apprenticeship programs and visit websites for unions in your local area.
Math skills. How much math do I really need?
There are no math prerequisites for the Facilities Maintenance program. However, it does help to have basic math skills, including algebra. If you're concerned about refreshing your math skills, SJCC has an array of refresher math courses to get you up to speed. You can find out exactly where you stand in math by taking an assessment test from the Testing Center at SJCC, which will help you and your counselor decide if you need to enroll in a math class.
You may also borrow software from the CalWomenTech Learning Library that helps you develop spatial reasoning, problem solving and math skills.
Technology skills. How can I prepare for the program if I don't have a background in technology?
You don't need a background in technology to enter this program. However, developing computer skills before you enter the program will help make your first days in class go smoothly.
Also, studies show that improving spatial reasoning skills can help women increase their academic achievement. You may want to visit the CalWomenTech Learning Library to check out resources such as software that can help you learn these and other important skills.
Course required. How can I find out what courses I need to take for the Facilities Maintenance Technology program?
Visit the Facilities Maintenance Technology program at the San Jose City College website for general information about the courses you'll need for both the certificate and A.S. degree program. You can also call the Facilities Maintenance Technology Department at (408) 298-2181 x3671 and ask for the major sheet from the college catalog.
Length of program. How long will it take to complete this technology program?
The Facilities Maintenance Technology certificate program takes most students about two years. Most students complete the A.S. degree in about four years, especially if they are working while they are attending classes. Many students find that holding down a facilities management job while in the program gives them a great way to apply the lessons they're learning in class.
High school preparation. Can I prepare myself for a technology program at SJCC while I'm still in high school?
There are no specific prerequisites for the Facilities Management Technology program. However, it is important to have solid reading, math (through algebra) and computer skills when you enter the program, since you'll need basic proficiency in these skills to complete your studies and work in the field. Chemistry and physics at the high school level are also helpful.
Weight-lifting requirements. How can I prepare myself physically to meet the weight-lifting requirements for a job as a Facilities Maintenance Technician?
Typical jobs in facilities maintenance require that individual workers lift up to 35 pounds; anything over that limit would require a second person to help with the lift. Students thinking about a career in this area should stay active and maintain their physical fitness. Female students in particular may want to focus on increasing their upper body strength via a gym or the school's Physical Education courses to increase their ease and safety in lifting.
Child care. What services does San Jose City College provide for students who need child care assistance?
San Jose City College offers child care services for children between the ages of 22 months and five years. To be eligible, single parents must be enrolled at either Evergreen Valley College or San Jose City College. In two-parent families, both parents must be students or one parent must be a student and the other parent must be employed or incapacitated. All students must be enrolled in at least 9 units of daytime, weekday classes to qualify.
Children of students are considered on a priority basis, depending on the parent's income and family size, with lower income students receiving higher priority. Low income students may be eligible for a state-funded subsidy to cover all or some of the costs. Students with higher incomes may be eligible on a full-fee basis.
The children are enrolled for each semester according to their parent's class and study schedule. A few slots are also available for parents who have jobs. Hours are contracted at the beginning of each semester based on anticipated class schedule.
Teachers are highly qualified and trained in developmentally appropriate practices. Since this is a lab school, San Jose City College early education students and their teachers also participate, both to learn and to help out with classroom activities.
The center also offers information about children's growth & development, discipline, literacy, nutrition, toilet training, and activities to do with your child.
Child care. Where can I get child care assistance for when I'm at school or work?
As soon as registration opens for the upcoming semester, register for at least 9 units of daytime, weekday classes at SJCC. Once you are registered for classes, you can apply for child care at the SJCC Child Development Center. Applications are prioritized according to income and family size. If you qualify, you will be asked to come for an enrollment appointment, bringing along proof of income. You may also want to look into the Extended Opportunity Program & Services (EOP&S), which offers assistance to low-income students, and which has a child care component called Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE).
Visit the website for more information.
Finances. What services does Evergreen Valley College provide for students who need financial assistance?
The Financial Aid office at San Jose City College offers federal, state and college programs to help students pay for their college educations. Services include counseling on the alternatives available, workshops to help with financial aid applications, and computer access. The program includes the following types of student aid:
Federal aid:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Academic Competitiveness Grant
- Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant
- Federal Work Study
- Federal Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized)
State aid:
- Cal Grant
- California Chafee Grant
- Child Development Grant
- Real Estate Scholarship
- Board of Governors' Fee Waiver
Students with financial needs are also encouraged to look into the Extended Opportunity Program & Services (EOP&S), which offers assistance to low-income students. Scholarship and student loan information is also available.
Finances. How can I get financial aid?
The first step in getting financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, or you can pick up a print copy in the Student Aid office. The San Jose City College school code is #001282. You'll find instructions at the SJCC website on how to request a personal identification number (PIN) that allows students and parents to access and process student financial aid transactions. You can use your PIN to sign or make corrections to the FAFSA online, or to check on your financial aid history.
Once you have completed your FAFSA, you'll receive a student aid report online or in print. The college also gets a copy of your report, and will then send you a letter about programs you may be eligible for. Feel free to drop in or schedule an appointment to discuss your options with a Financial Aid Specialist.
Visit the website for more information.
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