| If you haven't seen Pittsburgh recently, and still think | | | | Justice, Design, Technology and Healthcare programs) |
| of it as as the Smoky City, an industrial wasteland... | | | | There is a saying in Pittsburgh that "Pittsburghers |
| think again. Pittsburgh was recently voted the Most | | | | don't cross rivers." Although the city's numerous |
| Livable City in America by Places Rated Almanac, | | | | bridges make the city look pretty, they are choke |
| "America's Best City for Relocating Families" in 2008 | | | | points during morning and evening rush hour. Other |
| by Worldwide ERC, and the 10th cleanest city in the | | | | infamous choke points include Route 28 in the North |
| United States by Forbes magazine. In addition, a | | | | Hills, Squirrel Hill Tunnel, and Fifth Avenue in Oakland. |
| thriving healthcare industry and burgeoning high-tech | | | | Although traffic is not as bad in Pittsburgh as in other |
| sector have been seeking more skilled technicians. | | | | cities in America, it's important to try to live close to |
| Luckily there are a large variety of technical and | | | | where you go to school, and to avoid any choke |
| trade schools to help fill this need. If you're thinking | | | | points in your commute. It will mean more time and |
| about enrolling in one of these schools around | | | | energy for you to concentrate on schoolwork. Of |
| Pittsburgh, there are several factors you need to | | | | course, this is a moot point if you are able to take all |
| consider. | | | | of your classes online! |
| | | | Some schools are better than others at helping |
| 1. Academic Programs and Degrees: Does the school | | | | students find jobs after graduation. It is ideal if you |
| offer the program I want? Can I switch programs? | | | | are able to talk to current and former students |
| How long will it take to complete my degree | | | | about their experiences at the school. Although |
| program? | | | | current students will be able to tell you about campus |
| 2. Location and Online Presence: How far is the school | | | | life and how they are being prepared for the work |
| from where I live or want to move? Can I take | | | | force, only the former students will be able to tell |
| some or all of my classes online? | | | | you how easily they were able to start their new |
| 3. Finding a Job: Will the school help me find a job? | | | | career after the school's preparation. They can also |
| What kinds of jobs are available with this degree? | | | | tell you about the job market in that particular area |
| Are there positions in Pittsburgh, or will I have to | | | | and thus may help you pick exactly which degree to |
| move to find a job? | | | | pursue. |
| Of course, the first thing you need to do is find a | | | | Right now, employers in Pittsburgh are looking for |
| school which offers the degree you want. Pittsburgh | | | | employees with skills in health care and information |
| has an abundance of technical and trade schools that | | | | technology. According to WPXI, a local television |
| offer Associate's or equivalent degrees. If you're | | | | station, the jobs most in demand require some |
| unfamiliar with the schools in and around Pittsburgh, | | | | post-secondary education. Among the top five |
| PA, here is a list to check out, along with what they | | | | fastest-growing occupations in the area are computer |
| specialize in. You will of course want to talk with the | | | | support specialists, desktop publishers, respiratory |
| school before applying to see exactly what the | | | | specialists, respiratory therapy technicians, and |
| degree programs entail and how long they take. | | | | cardiovascular technicians. Therefore, if you're looking |
| | | | to stay in the Pittsburgh area after you graduate, |
| 1. Bidwell Training Center - (Culinary, Medical, | | | | these may be good fields to look into for your |
| High-Tech programs) | | | | studies. |
| 2. Dean Institute of Technology - (HVAC, Building | | | | In conclusion, when you're looking for a trade or |
| Maintenance, Electrical Technology, Combination | | | | technical school in Pittsburgh, you're going to look for |
| Welding) | | | | many of the same things that you would look for in |
| 3. Rosedale Technical Institute - (Automotive, Diesel, | | | | a school anywhere else: good teachers, good |
| Electric Technicians) | | | | programs, and a good location. However, there are a |
| 4. ITT Technical Institute - (High-Tech, IT | | | | few specific things to check for when you're looking |
| (Information Technology), Business degrees) | | | | at a program near Pittsburgh, including making sure |
| 5. Triangle Tech - (Carpentry, HVAC, Building Trades) | | | | that your school does not have choke points |
| 6. Western School of Health and Business Careers - | | | | between you and the school, and that the programs |
| (Medical, Business programs) | | | | you select are in demand in Pittsburgh. Good luck |
| 7. Pennsylvania Culinary Institute - (Culinary programs) | | | | finding the technical school or trade school of your |
| 8. PennsylvaniaGunsmithSchool - (Gunsmithing) | | | | dreams in Pittsburgh, PA! |
| 9. Pittsburgh Technical Institute - (Business, Criminal | | | | |