Hinds Community College Blog

Students enrolled in the Diesel Equipment Technology program at Hinds Community College on the Raymond campus may choose to combine their classroom experience with actual on-the-job training by enrolling in DET 2923, Supervised Work Experience during their last semester.  So what are the benefits of this type of class? Experience, Career Development, Reinforced Learning, College Credit and Money! Now money is not the primary purpose of any type of supervised on-the-job experience, but it certainly does help.

John Temple, a Diesel Equipment Technology student, is currently employed with Magnolia Marine in Vicksburg, Mississippi while completing his degree requirements. John works on barges servicing and maintaining diesel engines. Temple was able to land the job with a two-year degree from our community college. 

For half the cost of a four year education, John has the potential to make up to $70,000 per year (equal or in many instances more than those possessing a bachelors or master’s degree in other fields). According to USA TODAY, an estimated 2.5 million new, middle-skill jobs like John’s are expected to be added to the workforce by 2017. These middle-skill jobs will make up 40% of all job growth. 

Community colleges offer career-tech programs, which provide training for many of these positions which require far less than a bachelor’s degree. Hinds offers over 70 career or technical programs which train for these high-wage, high-skill and high-demand jobs.  Students may choose to earn a career certificate in just 30 hours, technical certificate in 45 or an Associate of Applied Science with 60 hours.

This past week, John traveled to Greenville, Ms. to work on barges undergoing Coast Guard inspections. Among his duties were to make sure the emergency shut off to the engine was working properly and to remove air in the fuel line of a diesel pump engine. Both barges passed the Coast Guard inspections with flying colors for river trips. Later that week, Temple overhauled an engine in their shop. 

Did you know that Magnolia Marine operates the largest inland waterways asphalt transportation fleet in the United States? Their fleet consists of 20 towboats and more than 75 barges which move product throughout the Mississippi River system as well as the intracoastal waterways of the Gulf of Mexico. 

http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2014/10/14/16261275/

What do you want to be when you grow up? Like any important decision, you must first decide whether or not a career field it is the right choice for you. You must learn more about yourself and find out if you are capable of fulfilling the tasks of a job. Often time, creative people never really grow up; there is always a little part of them that likes to dream that anything is possible. Creative people insist on doing something fascinating, meaningful, challenging and enjoyable for a living. Let’s do some research on graphic design and see if we can learn a little more about what they do.  

• Do you enjoy being creative?  The designs you create must be original, imaginative and appeal to your clients. 
   
• Can you think on your feet? You must be able to discuss your designs with clients and customers.
   
• Are you pop-culture savvy?  This will be a must in producing publications, websites and other products.

• Are you a self-starter? Whether self-employed or employed by a graphic design firm, it is important that you possess time-management skills.
   
• Can you work with others as well as yourself? Teamwork is a must in this profession whether it is with other graphic designers, marketers etc.

If you answered yes to these questions, then the Graphic Design Technology program at Hinds Community College might just be the program for you! The program is designed to prepare individuals to engage in entry-level employment and advancement in the field of graphic design, emphasizing digital technology. Students receive instruction including the design and execution of typography, layouts, professional illustration, color theory, industry specific production, digital imaging, and logo design. Also covered are design principles necessary for publication design, mass distribution and other forms of visual communications such as ads in magazines and newspapers, book cover designs, posters, billboards, brochures, letterhead and newsletters.

The Graphic Design Technology’s Macintosh computer lab supports the Adobe Creative Suite software and dedicates many class hours to the learning and use of these creative programs which includeL InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro, Dreamweaver and Flash. 

What Graphic Designers Do?

• Meet with art director or clients to determine the project

• Advise clients on strategies to reach a target group

• Determine the message the design should portray

• Create images that identify a product or convey a message

• Develop graphics and visual or audio images for product illustrations, logos, and websites

• Create designs using computer software packages or by hand

• Select colors, images, text style, and layout

• Present the design

• Incorporate recommended changes into the final design

• Review designs for errors

Are The Jobs Out There?

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment for graphic designers in computer systems design and related services is expected to grow by 61% through 2020. The median wage for persons employed in this field is $16.60 per hour according to Career Coach. Designers will need to be able to create images and designs for print, portable devices, websites and electronic publications with the continuing increase of the use of the Internet for marketing purposes. Employment of graphic designers in more traditional realms is expected to increase by 13% from 2010 to 2020. As technology continues to evolve, graphic designers will need to continually update with the latest software to remain competitive. 

Graphic design jobs cover all ends of the creative spectrum but included among the typical jobs filled by students who have completed this program are production artist, junior designer, Photoshop artist, Illustrator artist, t-shirt artist and web designer. All of these positions could include: brand identity design, logo design, cd design, billboard design, ad design and or package design. 

Need More Information?

This program is located on the Raymond campus of Hinds Community College. For more information on the GDT program, please contact Beth Messina at 601.857.3318 and/or BKMessina@hindscc.edu.

Also, check out the Hinds Graphic Design on social media:
Graphic Design Technology on Facebook
Graphic Design Technology on Twitter

What do you want to be when you grow up? Are you detail oriented and a good listener? Do you have excellent written and verbal communication skills? Are you able to concentrate for long periods? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to consider one of the options in the Court Reporting Technology program at Hinds Community College!

A career is a life plan that you will need to study for while a job is a temporary position to earn income. You don't have to decide today on your lifelong career but hopefully the information below will help you narrow down your choices and get you on the road to discovery. Take your time. Study your options and find a career that is tailored to your interests!   

What are some common characteristics of successful realtime reporting students? 

Court Reporting requires intelligence, dexterity and interest in a broad range of subjects. A good realtime reporter must be well versed in fields such as medicine, business, communications and technology, as well aslaw.  A broadcast captioner must be able to write and perform in environments that can be quiet and controlled as well as chaotic and ever changing.

What are my career path options? 

Realtime reporters are classified as Judicial Reporters, CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) providers and Broadcast Captioners.

 The following are types of career paths students with a degree from Hinds Community College Court Reporting Technology department will be qualified to explore:

• Judicial Reporters work in depositions, the courtroom and other legal proceedings providing verbatim transcription of all communication of the proceedings. They work with many lawyers and judges providing services to the criminal and civil justice system.

• Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) providers and Broadcast Captioners provide services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. CART providers primarily assist deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in classroom, business meeting and convention settings. The services of CART providers and Broadcast Captioners may be performed remotely from a home office or at an on-site location.

• Broadcast captioners provide open captions for places such as television screens and sports arenas for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. 

What kind of classes are offered in the Realtime Reporting program? 

• Shorthand writing principles (theory)
• Law
• Judicial
• CART and Captioning procedures
• Medical terminology
• Realtime reporting technology
• Complete internships prior to certification testing and entering the workforce  

Employment potential, salaries and quick facts: 

Embark on a career that’s in demand, vital, exciting and rewarding, with coast-to-coast opportunities at your fingertips. Realtime reporters can work in the legal community, provide communications access for people with hearing loss – such as providing CART or being a broadcast captioner – become an independent contractor or run their own agency.

• The U.S. Department of Labor has projected an income of $47,700 annually with 14 percent job growth through 2020.
• There are an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 court, deposition, CART and captioning reporters in the United States.
• The National Court Reporters Association reports income of $35,000 to $65,000 for these services. Spanish captioning is opening the door for more and more jobs every day to fulfill the federal mandates provided by the Telecommunications ACT of 1996.

Need More Information? This program is located on the Raymond campus of Hinds Community College. For more information on the Court Reporting Technology program, please contact Geanell Adams at 601.857.3417. 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you enjoy driving, possess a lot of patience and are safety oriented? Are you a self-starter with a good work ethic?  Are you in good physical condition and are drug/alcohol free? Do you have a clean driving record?  If you answered yes to these questions, you might want to consider the Commercial Truck Driving Technology program at Hinds Community College!

The Commercial Truck Driving program is designed for the student with no commercial driving experience. Our 4-week semester offers quality classroom, behind the wheel road and range instruction with an emphasis on driver safety. Graduation from this program will result in the student receiving a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and a Career Certificate from Hinds Community College. Graduates will also find entry level employment as a commercial truck driver. Our goals are to advance truck driver training, proficiency and professionalism and to put quality drivers on the road. 

What About The Job Forecast?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 11% through 2022. An increase in truck drivers will be needed to keep supply chains moving as the economy grows. Trucks transport most of the freight in the United States. Truck drivers with hazardous material endorsements will increase their marketability and improve their job prospects considerably. 

Students will find the Commercial Truck Driving program to be reliable and thorough training ground for employment in the transportation field. The program has an excellent reputation with local firms looking for highly trained drivers and placement of students who complete the program is a top priority. Typical job placement in this field can be found with fleet distribution and sales. KLLM Driving Academy will offer employment opportunities to students who successfully complete the requirements for graduation and intend to commit to 12 months of employment. The commitment of 12 months of employment does not apply to “refresher” drivers. 

What Commercial Truck Drivers Do?

The trucking industry provides an essential service to the American economy by transporting large quantities of raw materials, works in process, and finished goods over land typically from manufacturing plants to retail distribution centers. Trucks in America are responsible for the majority of freight movement over land, and are vital tools in the manufacturing, transportation and warehousing industries. Over 80% of all communities in the U.S. rely exclusively on trucks to deliver all of their fuel, clothing, medicine, and other consumer goods. The trucking industry employs 10 million people (out of a total national population of 300 million) in jobs that relate directly to trucking. 

Like many other industries, the trucking industry has benefited from the use of computers and the Internet. The Internet helps firms explore new opportunities by aggressive sales and marketing. The incremental cost of conducting business transactions on the Internet is as much as fifteen times less expensive than paper transactions. Developments in satellite technology have fostered increased communication and productivity. This allows drivers to communicate with their dispatcher from the truck. The driver inputs the information, using a keyboard, into an automated system of pre-formatted messages known as macros.  There are macros for each stage of the loading and unloading process, such as “loaded and rolling” and “arrive at shipper”.  This system also allows the company to track the driver’s fuel usage, speed, gear optimization, engine idle time, location, direction of travel and amount of time spent driving. Drivers are no longer required to find the nearest public phone in order to relay information regarding their load status; it can be done without leaving the truck cab. 

Truck and trailer drivers typically do the following:

• Drive long distances
• Report to a dispatcher any incidents encountered on the road
• Follow all applicable traffic laws
• Inspect their trailer before and after the trip, and record any defects they find
• Keep a log of their activities
• Report serious mechanical problems to the appropriate personnel
• Keep their truck and associated equipment clean and in good working order
  
  Admission Procedures:

• All new and returning students who did not attend Hinds Community College during the last regular semester must submit a completed HCC Admission Application.
• Official Transcripts are those transcripts that come directly from the high school, college, or GED office to the Admissions Office. These transcripts should be mailed or hand delivered in a sealed envelope and must not be stamped “issued to student.”  Official transcripts must bear the signature of the appropriate school official, the institution’s seal, and a graduation date if applicable. The District Admissions office will assist you with obtaining Mississippi GED transcripts.
• Official ACT scores are those scores that are supplied on the official transcript, supplied electronically by the testing company, or the original score results may be brought to the Admissions Office for copying by Admissions staff.
• Any student who does not have ACT scores must take an entrance exam. 
• If a student did not meet the requirements for High School graduation, he can still be admitted into the program as a “Vocational Only” student. 
• If a student is entering Hinds as a College Transfer and was placed in an English and Math class, test scores are not required.
• Any student who begins at Hinds Fall 2007 or later MUST successfully complete RST 1312 Orientation, in order to meet graduation requirements.  The course is designed to help students succeed and to be financially responsible citizens. 

Admission Requirements:

• At least 21 years of age or older.
• Take an entrance test.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must have the ability to pass a Department of Transportation physical in accordance with 391.41 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Students will be given a D.O.T. physical prior to operating any commercial vehicles.
• Must certify they are drug free. All students will be drug tested in accordance with 382.301 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations prior to operating any commercial vehicles. 
• Must meet Department of Transportation and KLLM requirements for employment.

Need More Information?

This program is located at the KLLM Driver Academy campus of Hinds Community College.  For more information on the Commercial Truck Technology program, contact Kathy Emrick at 601.857. 3337 or Randy Dennis at 601.857.3341 or call KLLM at 800.925.5556.

Business & Office Technology

What do you want to be when you grow up? Are you organized, detail-oriented and can develop a plan of action before beginning a task? Do you have excellent written and verbal communication skills? Are you confident and enjoy working with people? If you have any of these characteristics, you might want to consider the Business and Office Technology program at Hinds Community College!

Every business, large and small, reaps the benefits of well-trained, competent office support staff. As the role of the office professional evolves, the reliance on technology continues to expand in the business environment. Business & Office Technology (BOT) programs help to meet the constant demand for office positions in the fields of Accounting Technology and Office Systems Technology.

The courses in the BOT program have been planned to accommodate a variety of needs and career paths while offering an interactive education in an inviting and pleasant environment. Students will benefit from professional faculty, small class sizes and laboratories equipped with the current technology and software. 

What Do Office Support Staff Do?

Secretaries and administrative assistants ensure an organization runs efficiently by performing a variety of necessary clerical and administrative duties. They create spreadsheets, manage databases and prepare presentations, reports, and documents with the use of computer software. They may also negotiate with vendors, buy supplies and manage stockrooms. Secretaries and administrative assistants also operate videoconferencing, fax and other office equipment. Specific job duties vary by experience, job title and specialty.

Hinds Community College students with a degree in Business and Office Technology can obtain the following positions:

• Administrative Assistant

• Executive Secretary

• Office Assistant

• Record clerk

• Entry level accounting position
  
   

What About The Job Forecast?

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of administrative assistants is among those occupations with the largest number of new positions. Employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to grow 12 percent from 2012 to 2022.  Median annual earnings are $35,330 with the hourly media pay reported as $16.99 per hour. Many job openings will result from the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. The best job prospects will exist for those with a combination of work experience and computer skills. 

What Will You Gain From Obtaining A Degree In Business & Office Technology?

• Broad overview of all office functions while obtaining the opportunity to investigate the integration of systems through people and technology

• Exposure to career options available within the office that involve the coordination of people, equipment and resources

• Opportunity to develop the relationship between worker and supervisor

• Concentration of skills in a specific area

What Are My Degree Options?

Degree options in the Business and Office Technology program include a Career Certificate option, Technical Certificate option and AAS Degree option. All program options are written to nationally recognized, industry-based certifications. The goal is for the student to earn a “credential of value” during their time at the community college. That “credential of value” is the Associate of Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate, a Career Certificate, and/or license/certification recognized by business and industry. The credential should be a step along a career pathway offering students ongoing opportunities to increase their earning potential in the job market. 

Need More Information?

This program is located on the Jackson, Rankin, Raymond, and Vicksburg campuses of Hinds Community College. For more information on the Accounting and Office Systems options of the Business Office Technology program located on the Raymond campus, contact Vanessa Spann at 601.857.3522 (Vanessa.Spann@hindscc.edu).

For other campuses in the district, you may use the contact information below:

Accounting Technology: 
Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center - 601.987.8122
Rankin - 601.936.5565
Raymond - 601.857.3522
Vicksburg-Warren - 601.629.6881

Office Systems Technology:
Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center - 601.987.8122
Rankin - 601.936.5565
Raymond - 601.857.3522
Vicksburg-Warren - 601.629.6881