If your reason for seeking education beyond high school is to get out into the workplace and make a good living, don't overlook the option of attending your local community college for two years in lieu of a four-year university. Community colleges are evolving to meet the needs of today's students and the benefits to you can be staggering. Here's why:
1. Your degree will cost you less. For an average of $2,400 per year for two years (compare to about $12,000 per year for four years), the community college student's savings is considerable. Over 11 million community college students are demanding that they get what they pay for every year. For their investment, they benefit from hands-on experience while learning, depending on the area of study, have close to 100 percent job placement following completion. For students who earn a 3.7 grade point average or higher, a prestigious Phi Theta Kappa membership is well within reach and offers many networking opportunities just as it does for a traditional college graduate.
2. Community Colleges offer a better classroom environment. Class sizes are small (normally fewer than 30 students) so you won't feel lost in a lecture hall. The practical knowledge that you gain is put into practice rather than mere guesswork on multiple-choice type testing procedures. Also, since tuition costs are far lower than a traditional college, you can afford to explore more areas of interest without having to commit to just one from the onset. There are weekend and evening classes, as well as during the week days, to allow students to work.
3. The teaching staff is there for one reason only - to teach. They aren't distracted by research or their eagerness to have their work published as are some college professors. Instead of learning from assistant teachers as is the case in many traditional universities, underclassmen in community colleges benefit directly from faculty members who have direct work experience in the areas that they teach. In fact, they often help graduating students to land work in their field by providing networking opportunities.
4. Community colleges get their name in part from the feeling of community. There is no massive campus to negotiate or throngs of students to feel lost among for the entering community college student. The campus is often in the center of the city and most students simply commute from home and save themselves the cost of room and board. Collegiate activities abound, however. There are usually sports teams, social functions and student government for students who enjoy extra curricular activities.
Your post-education success can be positively impacted by the smart decision to attend a community college instead of a four-year university. As well, you would be in very good company. Did you know that John Walsh (host of 'America's Most Wanted'), Fred Haise (Apollo 13 Astronaut) and Walt Disney are among a distinguished list of community college students?
1. Your degree will cost you less. For an average of $2,400 per year for two years (compare to about $12,000 per year for four years), the community college student's savings is considerable. Over 11 million community college students are demanding that they get what they pay for every year. For their investment, they benefit from hands-on experience while learning, depending on the area of study, have close to 100 percent job placement following completion. For students who earn a 3.7 grade point average or higher, a prestigious Phi Theta Kappa membership is well within reach and offers many networking opportunities just as it does for a traditional college graduate.
2. Community Colleges offer a better classroom environment. Class sizes are small (normally fewer than 30 students) so you won't feel lost in a lecture hall. The practical knowledge that you gain is put into practice rather than mere guesswork on multiple-choice type testing procedures. Also, since tuition costs are far lower than a traditional college, you can afford to explore more areas of interest without having to commit to just one from the onset. There are weekend and evening classes, as well as during the week days, to allow students to work.
3. The teaching staff is there for one reason only - to teach. They aren't distracted by research or their eagerness to have their work published as are some college professors. Instead of learning from assistant teachers as is the case in many traditional universities, underclassmen in community colleges benefit directly from faculty members who have direct work experience in the areas that they teach. In fact, they often help graduating students to land work in their field by providing networking opportunities.
4. Community colleges get their name in part from the feeling of community. There is no massive campus to negotiate or throngs of students to feel lost among for the entering community college student. The campus is often in the center of the city and most students simply commute from home and save themselves the cost of room and board. Collegiate activities abound, however. There are usually sports teams, social functions and student government for students who enjoy extra curricular activities.
Your post-education success can be positively impacted by the smart decision to attend a community college instead of a four-year university. As well, you would be in very good company. Did you know that John Walsh (host of 'America's Most Wanted'), Fred Haise (Apollo 13 Astronaut) and Walt Disney are among a distinguished list of community college students?
About the Author:
American Educational Guidance Center staff writer Julie Clark Robinson writes on subjects which include conducting a successful school search, the value of online degrees and continuing education for adults.
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