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The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute recently had the opportunity to speak with Jose Bustamante-Fuchs, a graduate of Wichita State University (WSU) Tech’s associate’s degree in robotics – an ARM-endorsed training program! The WSU Tech robotics program has been endorsed for over three years, and after speaking with the student, it’s clear to see why it received ARM Institute endorsement. Jose graduated this past May, with a very real-world-focused robotics education under his belt.

One of his favorite things about the program was the flexibility it gave students, to ensure they were also able to receive on-the-job training. WSU Tech’s robotics program provided two days in school, leaving the rest of the week open for part-time work. Students aren’t left entirely to their own devices in finding a relevant part-time job, with provided resources to help them find a job in a relevant field to the degree they’re pursuing. In Jose’s case, his professor recognized his love for coding, and helped him find a job in this field at The Smart Factory, where he has continued working even after graduation.

Choosing His Robotics Career Path

When he decided to enroll in WSU Tech’s robotics program, he had a plethora of reasons for doing so. Initially, he was looking for something that aligned with physics and biology, as his long-term dream is biomedical engineering. Specifically, he wants to focus on the design and production of more accessible prosthetics for those in need. While this may not immediately strike you as a robotics-related field, there are several reasons that this choice of career path makes sense from an educational and resume perspective. With this goal in mind, he turned his attention to a field that he knew is only just getting started, one whose entire existence is about remaining at the very leading edge of innovation. He realized he needed to work in a field whose emphasis is on accuracy, efficiency, and evolution. Despite it not being his initial plan, his passion for robotics is evident as he speaks about his enrollment and experience in the program, citing the ultimate factor in his decision,

“Robotics is going to be the future.”

When asked what the most important topic he learned in the program was, the answer came as a surprise. Of course, WSU Tech taught him Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), machine learning, programming, and more, but he shared that the most helpful skills he learned were leadership, teamwork, and compromise. He goes on to say, “Sometimes it’s not just what you know, but it’s how you use it.” At the ARM Institute, we couldn’t agree more, which is why we offer opportunity matches based not only on technical abilities, but also soft skills.

He also emphasized the relevance of the material and equipment. As robotics technology evolves, WSU Tech’s robotics program evolves with it, ensuring that students are always at the cutting edge of the industry.

You can learn more about WSU Tech’s endorsed robotics program on RoboticsCareer.org, and by making an account, you’ll get access to a plethora of other opportunities and resources.

What is ARM Institute Endorsement?

ARM Institute Endorsement recognizes the nation’s best training programs for robotics careers in manufacturing. Subject matter experts from the ARM Institute Member consortium guide applicants through an evaluation. This evaluation dives into the quality of the curriculum provided, its relevance to industry, and the program’s impact. When a program has the ARM Endorsement badge, the student knows they will receive future-ready education from the program, like Jose received from WSU Tech.

Now that Jose is thinking about his next steps, he can sign up for Robotics Career and search for robotics education, internships, and jobs in his area. Currently, his plan is to continue his studies, and using RoboticsCareer.org, he can pull from a wide variety of filters and find the best next chapter for him.

If you’re interested in a new career, robotics is a field with a lot of potential, and having this robotics education doesn’t limit your career options to strictly those within the robotics field. Start an account with Robotics Career today and see what options are in your area. You may find that your new career is far closer than you initially thought.