Most two-year technical colleges offer courses in information technology, technical skills such as welding and automotive, health care assistance, and basic management and accounting skills. Some of the health-related courses typically offered in two-year technical colleges are pharmacy technician, dental technician and practical nursing. Once a student completes a two-year technical program, they are often awarded with an associate degree or a diploma and special certification in their chosen field.
The diplomas and associate's degrees that students earn after completing a two-year course are recognized by companies and employers as proof of a person's technical abilities. Their degree, even if it's not a four-year course degree, gives them an advantage when applying for jobs that require specific technical skills. For example, a person who completed a two-year course in clerical and office management will know practices in filing essential documents and can be considered for a secretarial job. Graduates of technical colleges are also highly trained in their specialization because most of the two years cover an extensive internship and application of knowledge. For example, a welder who finishes a degree in a two-year technical college has probably accomplished several projects in a real welding shop during his or her internship.
The nature of two-year courses can be considered a double-edged sword. Although it allows students to graduate early and work right away, it can also saturate the employment market of certain technical skills. For example, a lot of welders graduate every two years, but the need for welders in a certain city or area may not actually meet the supply. Some conventional companies also prefer graduates of four-year courses since there is a belief that four-year degree holders are more trained in their chosen field. For example, a graduate of a two-year IT course may find it hard to compete with a computer engineer who has a four-year degree.
One of the misconceptions about entering two-year technical colleges is that some students find it to be a "dead-end" course. This may be untrue, because although these schools offer specific technical skills, some of their courses are also patterned in such a way that students may be able to study further and complete a four-year degree course. For example, most IT associate's degrees have a curriculum that fits into a four-year degree program. If an IT student wants to continue in a four-year degree program, all he has to do is find a university that will credit his two-year courses. Another misconception about technical schools is that they only cater people who have no intention of completing a four-year college program. Just about anyone can take courses offered in technical colleges, especially professionals who are planning to expand their knowledge in their chosen field. For example, technical schools offer special certifications in computer programming and networking, which can give an IT professional an advantage to either get a new job or receive a promotion.