SolidWorks Education + SolidWorks Certification = The Best Careeers

100,000 SolidWorks certified users. 100000 is the big announcement at SolidWorks World Day 3 General Session from the SolidWorks Certification team. This milestone could not have been reached without dedicated educators in our Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) Academic Provider Program. The CSWA Exam is given to students in over 36 countries and in 13 languages.

I was on stage with Max Lizarraga and Jerry Miranda, instructors at Mt San Antonio College (Mt Sac) where over 400 students have gone through their academic program and achieved CSWA certification.

Having SolidWorks skills and passing the CSWA exam helps students get the interviews to the best jobs, the best careers.

Mt Sac students were in the front row – supporting their instructors and watching their story unveil on the big screen. You too can see the video of all of General Session Day 3. The Certification/Education portion starts at 17 minutes.

I wanted to share with the SolidWorks Education Community a few questions from the interview.

Marie: As educators, tell us what makes you so passionate about SolidWorks?

Jerry: SolidWorks makes it so much easier for us to teach. We can focus on teaching not the software. SolidWorks is continuously committed to serve industry as well as industries direction towards SolidWorks. SolidWorks has the shortest learning curve compared to other software. The tutorials within SolidWorks and certifications prove out the student’s knowledge base.

Marie: You two really pioneered the program at Mt Sac. Tell us how you work together?

Max: We have three SolidWorks based courses. I give beginner and intermediate which gives me a chance to get to know them. Jerry teaches the advanced class. While advanced students are in class, I focus on placing them at jobs. I also focus on preparing them for the CSWA, which is their final exam. Soon we’ll be giving the CSWP.

Marie: Your relationships with students and potential employers are equally important. I’m curious, how do you develop those?

Jerry: Mt Sac sponsors the local SolidWorks Users Group (www.SWUGN.org). I actually used to be a SWUGN leader. We host it at the VFW so it’s a casual way for students and industry to mix.

Max: That’s right. We actually find it’s 50% students & 50% industry. It not only helps industry folks to get to know our students but reminds them to use the school as a resource. That and the only rule with our students: “Got to let me know if you vacate a job so I can fill it again!”

We thank Max, Jerry and the Mt Sac students and graduates for sharing their story at SolidWorks World.

Qualified schools on subscription can provide the CSWA exam to their students. For more information go to www.SolidWorks.com/CSWA-Academic.

The Certification team, with Max and Jerry up on stage, made this the best SolidWorks World – yet! Thank you. Marie

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Marie Planchard

Senior Director, Early Engagement, 3DEXPERIENCE Works at Dassault Systemes

Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach for the 3DEXPERIENCE Works products across all levels of learning including educational institutions, Fab Labs, and entrepreneurship.