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