Career Training

Culinary arts have become a popular degree program at community colleges across the country. What is fueling this sudden surge of foodies? Some believe it is the growing number of cooking programs on television that tend to glamorize what was once known as a relatively mundane, low-paying industry. TV has also increased interest in food enjoyment, which has further fueled the need for talented chefs – providing more opportunities for those who pursue a two-year degree in culinary arts. As the cycle continues, more college students are taking a serious look at the potential for a culinary arts degree, as well as the best schools to pursue an education in all things culinary.

Los Angeles Colleges See “Explosion” of Enrollment

The culinary arts programs at community colleges in Los Angeles have never been healthier. According to the Daily Breeze, enrollment in some programs has more than doubled within a few years. Some schools are reporting an overflow of students in classes and an even longer waitlist for students who were unable to get into the classes of their choice.

For example, the culinary arts program at Los Angeles Mission College has more than doubled the student population in just three years – from 250 students to 600 currently. The school has recently expanded the space for its program, adding an extensive new facility that boasts seven full kitchens equipped with some of the latest cooking technology. The 40 million dollar facility seemed to

Careers: Dental Hygienist, Medical Lab Technician & More Healthcare Positions

The healthcare industry is one of the hottest regarding employment and job stability. The good news is that many of the in-demand positions in health care can be landed with a two-year degree from your local community college. Check out these top 10 healthcare careers you can enter with a community college degree.

Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists assist dentists in their offices, educating patients and providing cleaning and preventative care.

• The average annual salary for these professionals is around $81,000, and many only work part-time.
• You can launch your career as a dental hygienist with a two-year degree at your local community college. Many schools feature dental laboratories, where students work with actual patients for practical, hands-on experience.
• In some states, hygienists must also pass an examination to practice, but community colleges often provide the preparation and opportunities for testing as part of the degree program.

Medical Laboratory Technician

This medical professional performs routine laboratory tests for diagnostic and monitoring purposes.

• Tests might include blood and urine tests, as well as examinations of tissue and other bodily fluids.
• Medical laboratory technicians typically work in the lab of a hospital, according to the website for the MHA Health Careers Center.
• They might also work in the laboratories of public health clinics, universities, and biomedical companies.
• The average annual salary for a medical

When the economy collapsed in 2008, car manufacturers were one of the biggest industries to feel the pinch. Four years later, the industry is slowly but surely rebounding, but without a skilled workforce, it needs to rebuild properly. According to many recent reports, the solution to the worker shortage appears to be community colleges; more specifically, in community colleges across the country that are partnering with major auto manufacturers to make sure the skilled workers are ready and able to take the jobs that are currently open and waiting for them.

Major Companies Partner with Schools

Higher education occasionally makes strange bedfellows, with the latest auto manufacturing collaboration coming from some unlikely allies. The Huffington Post reports that Ford, GM, and Toyota are teaming up with other manufacturers to create a training curriculum that will meet the needs of the entire industry. The curriculum will specifically be geared toward community colleges, particularly those in Michigan – the auto manufacturing capital of the country that could use an economic boost since the recent recession.

These new auto training programs will be broad enough to encompass the various manufacturers' products, while specific enough to bring students right from the classroom to the assembly line. Studies will focus on helping students compete globally, using skills that will easily translate from one manufacturer to another. The joint effort between the automakers ensures that every piece of the curriculum will be relevant to the entire auto industry in the

For students looking to enter the workforce with a two-year degree under their belts, the medical field is an excellent one to consider. Many positions within this industry can be started with an associate degree, and the number of job openings and growth potential gives these healthcare jobs some of the best value for your higher education dollar. Check out these top 10 health fields you can enter after spending just two years earning your degree.

Dental Hygienist

Most people have a closer relationship with the dental hygienist than the dentist since this professional spends the most time with patients. Hygienists go far beyond simple teeth cleaning, including assisting dentists with surgical procedures, taking X-rays, and educating patients on proper dental care. According to U.S. News and World Report, dental hygienists can expect to earn an annual average salary of $68,200 and enjoy a projected job growth of around 38 percent in their industry.

This video explains what a dental hygienist does.

Medical Sonographer

Medical sonographers use ultrasound technology to help physicians diagnose various disorders and illnesses. Sonographers are responsible for taking ultrasound pictures and determining which photos will be most helpful to the physician making the final diagnosis. This position is heavily patient-oriented and suits those who enjoy working with others. Allhealthcare.com predicts that the job growth for medical sonographers should remain around 16 percent through 2016. Professionals in this field

Healthcare Careers: In-demand Careers

Community colleges have become a popular place to jumpstart a new career, whether you are entering the professional workforce for the first time or looking to change career paths. One of the hottest degree trends at these two-year schools right now is health care, with plenty of choices in areas of study and ample job opportunities after graduation. You might work directly with patients or find an administrative position in the healthcare industry – and it all begins with training at your local community college.

Why Community College for Health Care?

Many interested in the healthcare field make the mistake of thinking a four-year degree is necessary to land a well-paying job in the industry. However, several graduates who come into their jobs with two-year associate degrees can make excellent salaries with minimal training time. Some of the top jobs in health care requiring an associate degree can earn an average salary of $50,000 or more, and opportunities for advancement and salary increases are always possible. When you offset this salary change with education costs that are a fraction of what they would be at a four-year school, you can see why many are choosing the community college route to launch their healthcare careers.

This video describes the healthcare program at Sampson Community College in Clinton, North Carolina.

Another advantage of choosing a community college for your healthcare degree