Career in 4 Months

SMC Helps Students Succeed

At Southwestern Michigan College, there are six career options that start with only four months of training. SMC has designed these unique programs to offer students a chance to pursue a good-paying career after only four months of training.

While a career in four months is a great way to get into the job market quickly, it can also be a stepping stone to advance your skills and education. Students pursuing a career in an occupational program such as manufacturing-technology (i.e. PPT and Welding) or in the medical field have the ability to get a two-year degree in Applied Science and then continue on to earn a four-year degree in Business Administration with Professional Tracks without losing any credits earned – all while remaining at SMC.

Choose from the careers in the following areas:

Dean of Academic Students working with students.

Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Specialty Credential Program

(Competency Nurse Assistant or CNA)

A Competency Nurse Assistant (CNA) Specialty Credential Program provides basic health care to long-term care patients under the direction of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN).


Students getting simulated hospital room experience in SMC nursing lab

Electrocardiogram (ECG) Technician - Specialty Credential Program

An Electrocardiogram (ECG) Technician operates the instrument which traces the electrical impulses of the heart.


Medical coding being entered by SMC student during clinicals.

Phlebotomy - Specialty Certificate Program

Phlebotomists draw blood from a patient so various laboratory work can be performed to aid the physician with treatment.


Student working in SMC lab

Precision Production Technology - Certificate Program

Students enrolled in this curriculum will learn about machines, tooling, materials, measurements and programming. Those individuals earning a one-year certificate will have skills necessary for precision programming and blueprint reading so they can do their own machine set up.


Students working welding cell at M-TEC @ SMC facility at the SMC Niles Area Campus

Welding Technology - Certificate Program

Almost every area of manufacturing, maintenance and construction use welding technology to join two surfaces together. Because of its strength, welding is used to construct and repair parts of ships, automobiles, spacecraft, and thousands of other manufactured products. In addition, welding is used to join beams when constructing buildings, bridges, and other structures, and pipes in nuclear power plants and refineries. Few career choices offer such vast options for employment and personal development as welding.