The rapid
growth of technology in our society
has been sustained by the efforts of
a technological team of
professionals. The technologist is
a key member of that team who is
responsible for applying the
research, analysis and designs of
his colleagues the scientist and the
engineer. Technologists also
supervise technicians who are
involved in fabricating, operating,
testing, troubleshooting and
maintaining equipment and systems.
A possible
scenario could be described as
follows:
A scientist
conducts basic research to explore
and develop fundamental theories, an
engineer uses these theories to
design and develop products and
systems. The design concept is then
given to a technologist who has the
responsibility for transforming the
concept into a prototype or
product. The device is then passed
to a technician who is responsible
for testing it to confirm the
specifications or operation as
originally designed. In actual
practice, the interaction among
members may vary considerably.
Typically, a
technologist will have completed a
bachelors level degree in a field of
technology, such as Electronics
Technology. Employment
opportunities include design
operations, sales, technical
management and project management.
Graduates of Bachelor of Science
degree programs in Technology are
called technologists to distinguish
them from graduates of Bachelor of
Science degree programs in
Engineering. However, the National
Bureau of Labor Statistics does not
presently have a category called
"technologists"; consequently, many
industrial job titles show little
distinction between technologists
and engineers. Graduates of
technology and engineering programs
compliment each other in their
skills and interests. Together with
scientists and technicians, they
form a technological team which has
been able to produce an ever
increasing rate of technological
advancement.
Your hard work
as a technology student will prepare
you for a wide range of exciting
opportunities throughout the
nation. We encourage you to take
full advantage of all the resources
available to you to help you to
become all that you can be.
