The featured student this week is Christie Nguyen Heitmann, a former engineering design graphics (EDG) student at the Central campus, who now teaches within the EDG program at the South campus.

Houston, TX -- (SBWire) -- 06/29/2011 --February is Technical Education Month, and San Jacinto College is spotlighting a technical education student from each campus during the month. The featured student this week is Christie Nguyen Heitmann, a former engineering design graphics (EDG) student at the Central campus, who now teaches within the EDG program at the South campus.

Christie Nguyen Heitmann could have taken the usual path toward her education, but what began as a simple elective at San Jacinto College Central ended up sparking an old high school flame: drafting.

After taking a technical drafting class at South Houston High School, Heitmann decided that she wanted to pursue an engineering degree. Like many students, she made a plan to get her basics out of the way at community college, and then move on to a university to finish her degree. In Fall 2002, she started taking classes at the Central campus and enrolled in a drafting class as an elective.

“I was already a little familiar with drafting since I took a class in high school, and since I needed an elective that went along with my degree plan, I took a drafting class at San Jac,” she said. “Once I was in the class, it reminded me of how much I loved it.”

She then started taking more and more EDG courses, realizing that this was the path she wanted to follow. As semesters progressed, Heitmann knew she had a decision to make; either transfer to a university with the required basics she had already completed, or stay at San Jacinto College to finish an associate of applied science degree and pursue the future she knew she wanted. While the choice wasn’t difficult, getting there would take a little longer than expected, but would ultimately be worth it.

“It took me a little while to finish up my associate’s since I started going to school part-time and working full-time. After I finished in 2006, I began working at Dashiell Corporation as one of their first civil structural drafters,” she said. “Since then we’ve had a lot of interns and entry-level drafters come from San Jacinto College because we know that they come here with a great foundation and skills they need to start on projects that first day.”

Getting a technical certification or associate of applied science degree can offer students a big advantage over some of the traditional routes of education. Dr. Brenda Jones, dean of business and technology at the South campus, sees this as not only as a competitive advantage when entering the workforce, but feels that it also enables students to begin earning and establishing a new career they may not have thought possible.

“Our students will not only be qualified to begin a career in their chosen field of study, but will have the confidence and skills necessary to be successful in the workforce at least 2-3 years ahead of those who may have chosen to pursue a traditional university degree,” said Jones. “When economic times are tough, as they are now, a technical certification or an associate of applied science degree provides opportunities for individuals to refocus their skills, as well as the knowledge and training to embark upon a new career path within a short period of time.”

After four years as a drafter at Dashiell, Heitmann has spent the last year as a lead designer for the company. “My favorite part of the industry is drafting design. I just think it’s more fun than ‘engineering,’” she laughed. Heitemann is now working on the company’s larger projects, building many from scratch. “Right now I’m working on designing a 345 kV utility plant switchyard for Lone Star, which is fairly large compared to what we normally do, so that’s pretty exciting.”

Another new challenge she’s taken on this year is teaching descriptive geometry at the San Jacinto College South campus. As part of the EDG program, this class uses drafting and graphics to solve normal mathematic problems.

“At first, I was worried that my students wouldn’t take me seriously. I started the semester really emphasizing the importance of this class, and how it’s a basic course to their technical foundation, which they’ll need in the workforce. Even when we do hand drafting, I explain that it’s still an important skill to have. Not only will it make you more marketable to employers, but it will give you more value as an employee.”

Heitmann is continuing her higher educational endeavors. Currently, she is attending the University of Houston-Downtown, where she is finishing her bachelor’s degree in engineering technology.

About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for nearly 50 years. We are committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of more than 29,000 students in over 140 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career-track choices. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of ever-changing industry in the region. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Also visit us at http://www.SanJac.edu