Education

Community College: A Gateway To A Career

Posted: 9/7/2010

Many people with degrees or who are already in the workforce return to community colleges to take some courses or get an additional degree.

(NAPSI) - If you are looking for a college degree that can lead directly to a career, you might consider a two-year community college.

Taking this path may be more common than you think. According to the College Board, almost half of all college students attend a community college.

Community colleges are known for their variety of practical programs. For example, you can pursue an RN (registered nurse) degree, a paramedic license, chef training, a digital media degree or a medical secretary degree.

You might also have access to state-of-the-art facilities such as a biotechnology lab, digital media center, environmental laboratory or music recording studio.

Plus, many people with degrees or who are already in the workforce return to community colleges to take some courses or get additional credentials. According to the federal government, 28 percent of students in nondegree programs at community colleges already have a bachelor's degree.

Tips for Transferring

If you want to transfer to a four-year college after attending a community college, here are some tips from the College Board:

• Learn about your options by looking in the College Board's "College Handbook," the only college guide that describes every accredited two-year and four-year college in the U.S. Or, visit www.collegeboard.org. Most public community colleges offer two-year course plans that fulfill requirements at nearby state colleges. To transfer without losing credits, follow those plans.

• Talk to advisers at the four-year college you hope to attend. They may have inside information on how to make your application stand out.

• Make sure you've fulfilled requirements to declare a major at the four-year college--not just the general admissions requirements. For example, Bio 101 at your school may transfer, but might not be enough preparation for you to take the junior-year courses in the chemistry major.

• Don't try to be your own academic adviser. Wrong courses or credits that don't transfer can waste your time and money, and that's discouraging.

• Keep going. Don't "gap" your education, taking time out between semesters or colleges. Once you begin, keep at it--that's the path to getting your four-year degree.

• Before you enroll, talk to potential employers in the outside world, too.