Career Development

Techtonic, a leading IT managed services provider, offers mobile asset repair, disposition (reverse logistics), and device management services through an integrated workforce of neurodivergent certified technicians. It is a division of Jonathan’s Landing Foundation, an Orlando-based nonprofit with a vision to build housing for 500 adults with autism and create 5,000 jobs and meaningful work opportunities.

SkillCircuits are 2.5-hour hands-on events where students gain basic cellphone and tablet repair skills by rotating through four interactive repair stations. These events help students begin their journey toward Wireless Industry Service Excellence (WISE) certification and potentially chart a pathway to a sustainable career in technology. WISE certification sets the industry standard for mobile device repair technicians and retailers, ensuring adherence to safety and best practices.

“Experiential learning is an integral part of every academic program at Beacon, and we’re thrilled to partner with Jonathan’s Landing offering this unique technician certification program for our students,” said Melissa Bradley, director of Beacon’s Center for Career Preparation. “These unique programs allow our students the opportunity to discover hidden strengths and talents, which lead to increased confidence in their abilities to navigate their career paths through practical experience that can lead to high-need employment pipelines.”

At another station, students listened as Techtonic’s Lautaro Dominguez explained how to remove the bottom of a laptop to access its delicate circuitry.

Stephen Kjos took it all in, then took up his wedge tool to pry open his Dell laptop. Slowly. “That’s my main problem,” he told Dominguez. “I keep thinking I’m going to break it.”

No sooner had Kjos finished speaking than he was holding two unscathed halves of a laptop.

With the cases separated, Dominguez pressed on. “What’s the first thing we need to do before working on it?”

“Disconnect the battery,” Kjos shot back. Right.

“Alright, so let’s see if we can take out a battery.”

And so it went.

Boylan was thrilled when he learned about the opportunity because he “wanted to get more experience in the tech field and I wanted to repair electronics.”

At first, Boylan struggled with getting the hang of the new concepts, he said, but quickly caught on. “Within an hour, I greatly enjoyed it and felt incredibly accomplished to get my (microcredential),” he said.

Greene too was attracted to the on-campus opportunity to upskill. “I wanted to expand my technical skills and gain a certification that could open up new career opportunities,” said Greene, 20, a web and digital media major from Morganton, North Carolina. “The event seemed like a great hands-on learning experience that aligns with my interests in technology and digital media.”

For Greene, that proved out. Learning to fix gadgets today, he said, can help peers build a working path to new opportunities.

“Certifications like WISE provide a structured way to build confidence and prove your skills,” he said. “For students with learning differences, hands-on training and real-world applications can make learning more accessible and rewarding. I encourage others to take advantage of these opportunities because they can make a big difference in career readiness.”