Lucrative Career Switches: Paralegal, Dental Assistant, and More

It’s a fact: public funding for community colleges has been dwindling over the past several years, and so far, there is no indication it will ever come back. Despite the lack of money to pay for courses and services, the demand for a community college education is higher than ever. Covering the widening gap is easier said than done, but some community college leaders suggest that privatization is the way to go.

AACC Annual Meeting Explores Privatization Issue

The American Association of Community Colleges has discussed the dwindling funding issue for some time. However, Inside Higher Ed reports that the organization's recent annual meeting was the first time the privatization issue was raised in earnest. Some of the community college leaders attending the meeting took a stand on the issue, stating that while they wished the situation was different, it was time to move to the next step.

“My own college behaves much more like a private college these days than a public,” Stephen M. Curtis, president of the Community College of Philadelphia, was reported saying at Inside Higher Ed. Curtis used this statement to encourage other community college leaders to at least consider the idea of privatization. Supporting his stand was Rufus Glasper, chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges.

This video gives an overview of the American Association of Community Colleges.

“We have no choice. The state funds are gone forever,” Glasper told

The latest report from the American Association of Community Colleges “tells it like it is,” calling the American Dream imperiled and asking two-year colleges nationwide to raise the bar on higher education standards. While the new report does offer some positive feedback on the current condition of community colleges in terms of growth and success, it also provides feedback on where schools are lacking and what can be done to bring these institutions to a place where they can serve students and the business community most effectively. There are seven problems and seven solutions, providing a blueprint colleges can use to improve the quality of education and professional training.

Shifting the Focus

The Chronicle of Higher Education explains that this report, titled “Reclaiming the American Dream: Community Colleges and the Nation’s Future,” is the culmination of several months of research by a 38-member community. Those involved in the report include college presidents, education-policy experts, and leaders of non-profit groups.

“This is a brutally honest report,” Walter Bumphus, president of the American Association of Community Colleges, told the Chronicle. “For years we have been focused on access, and now we need to turn our attention equally to student access. It takes courage to say we can do better.”

The report offers a new perspective on the condition of community colleges beyond their commitment to an open-admission policy and providing access to students who are typically underserved. Once the students are enrolled, their success becomes

Much has been published recently about the value of a college degree over the long term. While the cost of higher education has continued to rise, the benefits associated with that education continue to grow as well. An associate degree can offer a particularly good return on investment (ROI), since the cost of obtaining the degree is significantly less than a bachelor's degree, and the job opportunities can be plentiful. While we've compared whether state universities or community college graduates earn higher salaries, consider these statistics concerning the ROI on various associate degrees to determine whether community college might be the next logical step in your career plans.

The Cost of an Associate Degree

Degree Central cites 2010 statistics from the College Board that show the average annual tuition cost for a community college is $2,544. Most can be earned in two years or less, although some students might take longer if they are juggling professional and family responsibilities along with their studies. For most students, a degree from a community college can be earned for less than $9,000.

By the same token, the 2009 annual average tuition cost at a public four-year school for residents was just over $7,000, while the rate for non-residents was more than $18,500. Private schools ran approximately $26,000 per year. These rates translate to a significant amount of debt for most students once they graduate, while community college students often graduate with little or no debt.

This video explores answers

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