Academics
J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College prepares students for rapid entry into the workforce with twoyear associate degrees in the arts or sciences, and provides seamless transfer to university partners for those looking to continue their baccalaureate education. Known for a curriculum that closely aligns with the fulfillment of projected job openings, Drake State prepares students to enter in-demand careers and high-paying jobs in manufacturing and areas of critical need, such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and automotive technology (ASE Master Certified). Accelerated "boot camps"-some as short as eight hours- offer help toward certification in Artistic Design Welding, Machine Tool, and Oil Change Safety Inspection, and toptier technical and industrial training is available through both community partnerships and state-of-the-art facilities, like a renewable energy lab. Students can also obtain two work-readiness certifications, the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and the Alabama Certified Worker Certificate (ACWC). These valuable certifications document the skills and aptitudes that give job seekers competitive advantages. Drake State was recently selected by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to collaborate in the Moon-to-Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology program. Students and faculty participate in this on-campus initiative that tests the 3-D printing technology used to develop construction techniques suitable for building landing pads, roads, and other large structures on Earth and in space. It also develops curriculum for training a new workforce of technicians specialized in 3-D construction techniques.
Career
Drake is a non-residential campus with a unique blend of degree-seeking students, career and technical students, dualenrolled high school students, and adult learners. As a result, student activities tend toward those that support and benefit its academic programs, helping enrollees develop the skills they'll need for workplace success-like a spirit of independence and exploration, as well as support for critical thinking and entrepreneurship. (There's also a strong emphasis on social responsibility and the need for civic involvement.) One such association, which all students are automatically enrolled in, is the national nonprofit SkillsUSA, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for its workplace development and career successes. There's also the Entrepreneurship Club, tailor-made for entrepreneurs and independent thinkers, which helps members develop ideas for businesses, including values such as hard work, risktaking, organization, and self-determination. In addition, collaborations such as Drake's participation with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in the Moon-to-Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology project, keep the campus at the forefront of continual innovation and technological improvements.
Culture
Drake State's entire purpose revolves around career development, so it's no surprise that the school's Career Services office works to ensure its graduates are highly skilled and that it assists both students and alumni with job placement. Along the way, students are supported in résumé revision and career coaching, and the Kuder Training program provides comprehensive tools and resources tailored to each person's career objectives. Students can also directly connect with employers during an annual career fair. Graduates from the school have gone on to start their own businesses, to elevate themselves beyond static positions (such as going from a registered nurse to a chief nursing officer), and to transition from the frontlines of the military to the frontlines of medicine.
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