Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why Should I Attend Minority Enterprise Career Schools (MECS Academy CATC)?
A: The Minority Enterprise Career Schools (MECS Academy CATC) Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is designed for building tomorrow's workforce today and to teach you everything you will need to know to start and maintain your career or own a small business.
Q: What Career Opportunities Does MECS Academy CATC Offer?
A: Teaching you how to start and operate a small business will give you an understanding of the business world that will make it much easier for you to get jobs and create a fulfilling career for yourself, and thus “Own Your Future.” Owning Your Future will be the key to happiness. What you learn from our NFTE entrepreneurship program will help you make good personal decisions for the future.
Q: Is MECS Academy CATC Accredited by the New York State Education Department?
A: MECS Academy CATC is a State-accredited nonpublic secondary school, grades nine through twelve, Chartered by the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York, for and on behalf of the Education Department.
Q: What Degrees and Certifications Does MECS Academy CATC Offer?
A: In addition to the standard New York State Regents High School Diploma offered by all New York high schools, MECS Academy CATC offers the following Career Certifications:
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Adobe
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Apple
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Autodesk
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Communication Skills for Business
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EC-Council (Cybersecurity)
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Entrepreneurship and Small Business
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IC3 Digital Literacy
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Information Technology Specialist
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Intuit
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Microsoft
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Project Management Institute (PMI)
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Unity
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Credentials
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Coding in Minecraft
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IC3 Spark
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Q: Why do I need IC3 Digital Literacy Certification (IC3 GS4/GS5/GS6)?
A: With learning and practice solutions, assessment tools, and certifications specifically designed for a variety of ages and occupations, the IC3 Digital Literacy program is simply the best way to ensure that students and employees are prepared to succeed in a technology-based world. IC3 provides students and job seekers with a globally recognized and highly valuable credential to use in their academic and professional pursuits.
Q: What are the benefits of becoming an Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)?
A: When someone becomes an Adobe Certified Associate, it validates their technical abilities and demonstrates proficiency. Adobe’s ACA certifications are based on research about digital communication skills required by industry, government, and education.
Q: What does Autodesk Certified User Certification do (ACU)?
A: Autodesk Certified User certification confirms students have the skills necessary to continue their design careers—whether they attend college, enter the workforce or work toward additional levels of industry certification after graduation.
Q: What are the benefits of becoming an Apple Certified Associate (ACA)?
A: Organizations are increasingly integrating Mac computers into Windows or other standards-based network
environments. Users who bring a Mac into organizations that predominantly use the Microsoft Windows operating system and Windows Server Essentials; Users who replace a Windows personal computer (PC) with a Mac; IT professionals who support Mac users in organizations that predominantly use Windows and Windows Server Essentials; and Users who want to learn how to integrate a Mac into an existing Windows or other standards-based network, ACA Mac Integration Basic certification will guide you through the process of setting up your system to take full advantage of network services such as directory services, file sharing, printing, instant messaging, email, calendars, contacts, and more.
Q: What is the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certification (ESB)?
A: ESB is the first in the new Certiport® Business Fundamentals Certification Program, which will also include certification exams in business disciplines such as Digital Marketing, and Finance. The ESB exam is intended for use primarily in academic settings including vocational schools, community colleges, and technical colleges.
Q: Why should students study and seek certification in ESB?
A: Whether it is a beauty salon in a large metropolitan city, a taco shop in a booming resort location, or a car repair garage in the suburbs, an incredible number of small businesses can be found almost everywhere. In fact, in a recent report from Business.com, “every minute a new business is started in the U.S. and according to some, more than 50% of all workers will be self-employed by 2020.” (The State of Small Business in America, 2015, Business.com, emphasis added.)
Q: When is a business idea a business opportunity?
A: You can ask yourself five questions to begin the process of determining if a business idea might be a real business opportunity:
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Does the idea fill a need or want that’s not currently being met?
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Will the idea work in your chosen location or in the way that you plan to sell it?
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Can you put the idea into action within a reasonable amount of time? That is, before someone else does, or while resources are still available? This concept is called the window of opportunity⎯the period of time you have to act on a business opportunity before it disappears.
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Do you have the resources and skills to create the business (or know someone else who could help you do it)?
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Can you provide the product or service at a price that will attract customers, but still earn a reasonable profit?
Q: Why do I need Communication Skills for Business? (CSB)
A: Success is led by the power of communication
The Communication Skills for Business (CSB) program is one of the newest certification programs offered through Certiport and now includes the Professional Communication certification and the English for IT certification. Whether verbal (oral or written) communication or nonverbal communication the ability to communicate effectively is a critical skill that all candidates should possess. In every industry, there is a gap between the English skills required and the English language skills that employees have. Also, in today’s workplace, communication skills are consistently one of the top skills employers are looking for and developing these skills can give candidates a big edge on the competition.
The CSB certifications are built to validate that candidates entering the workforce understand key communication principles and possess the skills that are necessary to be effective in a work environment.
Q: What is Microsoft Certified Fundamentals? (MCF)
A: The pathway to AI, Data Science, and Cloud Computing
The Microsoft Certified Fundamentals exams are the pathway to fully understanding what cloud computing is, what options are available from Microsoft, and which options make sense for businesses to invest in. This set of exams is for students who are exploring a career in artificial intelligence, data science, and cloud computing. With the usage of big data and artificial intelligence on the rise, the demand for data scientists is not being met—and the gap is widening.
Help your students get on the pathway to a prosperous career by administering Microsoft Certified Fundamentals exams in your classroom.
Q: What is Information Technology Specialist? (ITS)
A. The Information Technology Specialist program is a way for students to validate entry level IT skills sought after by employers. The IT Specialist program is aimed at candidates who are considering or just beginning a path to a career in information technology. Students can certify their knowledge in a broad range of IT topics, including software development, database administration, networking and security, mobility and device management, and coding.
Help your students get on the pathway to a prosperous career by administering IT Specialist exams in your classroom.
Q: Are There Any Tuition or Fees? What about Scholarships?
A: Tuition is $10,500 for the 2023 School Year. Eligible students receive Parents Empowerment Scholarships/ Federal Student Aid (Full Tuition and Fees) to attend MECS Academy CATC. Students may also apply under modified rules for qualified tax-exempt tuition programs (known as 529 Plans). There is a $50 non-refundable MAPP Assessment Test Fee and a non-refundable $150 deposit required to cover Microsoft Protection Plan for the Surface Laptop Studios or Surface Book 3 we issue to all students.
Q: Where Is MECS Academy CATC Located?
A: MECS⎯CATC is located in New York City Geographic District ⎯ Brooklyn #23, East New York.