Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I need to do to succeed in IT?
A:
- Have an interest in computers, current technology and continuous learning
- Enjoy troubleshooting and solving technical problems
- Want to use technical skills creatively
- Possess good communication skills
- Enjoy working with a team
- Have an interest in computers, current technology and continuous learning
- Enjoy troubleshooting and solving technical problems
- Want to use technical skills creatively
- Possess good communication skills
- Enjoy working with a team
Q: What will the future job market be like?
A: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that four of the five job categories with the largest expected percentage growth will be in IT areas (network systems and data communications analysts, computer applications software engineers, computer systems software engineers, and database administration). The Bureau report also places these IT areas in the highest quartile for salaries.
According to Wisconsin's Worknet IT careers are in the top 25 that are projected to grow the fastest during the 2006-2016 time period. In fact, IT careers are listed several times on the top 25 list!!
Q: How good are the salaries for new IT graduates?
A: The average starting salary for graduates of the IT associate degree program was $35,000 in May 2006. For May 2006, the top starting salary was $47,000. The average starting salary in IT Programming was $45,000. Nearly all graduates had accepted job offers by graduation with many choosing from multiple offers.
Q: Where can I find the course catalog?
A: You may search for classes through either the Search for Courses or Course Offerings* web pages. You may also search for classes through Inside MATC's Search for Classes link and receive real-time course information.
*Web page searches are updated daily in the A.M.
You may also search through the Programs of Study to find a list of MATC programs, and curriculum lists for all programs offered. Select the program you are interested in, then click on the Curriculum link for a list of the required courses for that program.
A: The method for getting your books varies with the campus you will be attending.
Truax Campus
View this brief On-demand tutorial with step by step info on how to order your books online.
You can go to the MATC Bookstore to find out which books are required for your classes. From this page, click on the Textbooks link. Here is how you find your text:
- Select your campus/term from the drop down menu (currently, this is only available for the Truax campus.)
- Select the department code (which is the same as the middle three digits of the catalog number)
- Select the course code (the last three digits of the catalog number)
- Select the 5-digit class number.
The required text will appear below your choices. You may purchase the text online and request that it be shipped to you, or you can choose to have it placed on reserve for you to pick-up in the future.
A:
To apply for a program of study at MATC online click: Online Application
Please click on Admissions Procedures if you have any general Admissions questions.
For detailed step by step instructions on how to complete the online application click on the pdf file.
Q: Do I need to purchase my own laptop?
A:
All of the IT programs require that students purchase an external hard drive. The size should be AT LEAST 40 gigabytes. Students can purchase the harddrive from the MITA student organization or purchase it on their own. In Spring 2009, students could purchase a 100 gigabytes external harddrive from MITA for $100.
Students are personally responsible for backing up their external hard drives. It is the student's responsibility to recreate, recover or retrieve any course work should their hard drive become lost, stolen, destroyed, inoperable or any other scenario.
BACKUP! BACKUP! BACKUP!
Q: Could I ask a current IT student a question about their experience in a program?
A:
Yes! You can contact a current student in MATC's IT Program. Current students have volunteered to answer your questions via e-mail. Use the Ask a Current Student and your inquiry will be directed to current students.
Q: How can I get credit for work experience, certifications or completed classes?
A:
If you have work experience, certifications such as CISCO Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIAA+, or have already taken classes at this or other institutions you may be able to be granted advanced standing to earn your degree more quickly. You may take a Challenge Exam for some courses to gain advanced standing provided that you do so prior to beginning your program work. Contact Annie Nueberger at (608) 246-6800 anueberger@matcmadison.edu for more information.
