San Jacinto College’s Engineering Design Graphics (EDG) program offers students flexible learning options and up-to-date curriculum and resources to keep up with the challenging and ever-changing field of EDG.

San Jacinto College student Heather Marquis, who works as an Engineering Design Graphics student lab assistant, collaborates with instructor Roy Parisher on a drafting project.

All three San Jacinto College campuses — North, South and Central — offer two-year associate degree plans as well as one-year certificate of technology options. The coursework includes some two traditional manual/board drafting courses, but most of the courses are taught with computers, employing current software applications.

“Most of our courses utilize AutoCAD software and we use the latest 2008 version of the software, as with all of the software in the department. We also teach a few courses using Microstation,” commented Mike Varnell, EDG department chair for all three San Jacinto College campuses.

San Jacinto College’s EDG courses include instruction in solid modeling and animation. The College also offers specialized drafting courses in piping that utilize cutting-edge Plant Design Management System software. “We also teach Machine Design using ProE software,” added Varnell. “We maintain the latest versions of the software in order to remain state-of-the-art.”

The College’s Engineering Design Graphics advisory committee, made up of local industry representatives, helps instructors keep pace with current industry trends and developments. “The advisory committee helps us to ensure we are producing the kinds of entry-level employees they want to hire, giving us direction with curriculum, equipment and software purchases,” Varnell said.

The College’s EDG program maintains a solid reputation in the community, and businesses and individuals contribute regularly to the program. In just the past year, Dr. William Brookshire of S&B Piping Engineers and Constructors initiated a scholarship in his name for EDG students in the annual amount of $5,000. In addition, Lubrizol in Deer Park regularly contributes scholarship funds to San Jacinto College’s EDG students.

Students also can gain valuable on-the-job experience by participating in an intern program available through the College’s EDG program.

The program also offers an innovative certificate of specialization learning option. The departmental certification requires only four to five classes concentrating in disciplines such as 3D Solid Modeling and Design or 3D Technical Animation and Rendering. “We offer this option as a stepping-stone for students,” Varnell noted. “Students unable to attend as a full-time student might work toward a certificate of specialization and then apply those same courses toward a certificate of technology and then apply those courses toward an associate degree.”

The job placement rate is generally very high for students who graduate from San Jacinto College’s EDG program because demand is high for people with drafting skills. “Our students certainly have no problem finding employment,” Varnell said. In many cases,  engineering and design contractors are hiring students with as little as two drafting courses. However,  students with an associate degree can expect better paying jobs and benefits. Opportunities are available for students that don’t have the time or money to invest in a degree, but want to get into the workforce very quickly.

Most San Jacinto College EDG graduates find employment in a petrochemical related area of drafting (piping, electrical, civil or structural drafting). “With gas prices rising, the petrochemical companies are doing well and there is a very good EDG job market,” commented Varnell. “The demand is fueled in part by the economy and the exodus of ‘baby boomers’ from the workforce.” Major companies that recruit San Jacinto College students include Fluor, Dashiell, S&B Piping Engineers and Constructors, and NASA engineering contractors.

San Jacinto College student Heather Marquis, who works as an EDG student lab assistant, says she chose San Jacinto College after comparing numerous colleges in the area and learning that the College offers a wider range of EDG courses to choose from. She felt that she would receive more personal attention with the smaller classes. “San Jac’s Engineering Design Graphics program keeps up with cutting-edge technology and the instructors are truly passionate about their work and their students,” she commented.

Marquis plans to graduate in May with a certificate of technology specializing in petro/industrial drafting and two certificates of specialization in piping and civil drafting. She then plans to do EDG work with a leading engineering firm while she attends San Jacinto College part-time to earn an EDG associate degree.

For more information about San Jacinto College and the Engineering Design Graphics program, please call 281-998-6150 or visit http://www.sanjac.edu/.