7 Recession Proof Careers You can Enter with a Two-Year Degree

Community colleges have experienced a mixed reputation over their 100-year history. On the one hand, these institutions have been traditionally viewed as the lesser choice in higher education. Other opinions have elevated these schools as the most direct way to train for the job market. Which view is more accurate? Today, the latter appears to be more prevalent, particularly because many four-year schools are now trying to capitalize on the same features community colleges have boasted since the beginning.

Career Training Begins at Community College

Since their inception, community colleges have been focused on vocational training. According to a report in the Times Herald-Record, these schools were originally created in the early part of the 20^th century to get people into the workforce as quickly as possible. Fraternizing with academics and dabbling in philosophical thought processes were seen as counterproductive in this model of higher education.

This video from the Urban Institute discusses advancement along a career pathway at a community college.

While community colleges might have met their goals from a vocational standpoint, their singular focus also may have gained them a reputation as less academic schools than four-year colleges and universities. Those who wanted the true higher education experience would venture into the hallowed halls of those institutions perceived as factories for intellectuals and philosophers. However, when jobs become scarce, and industries begin to fizzle, the practical application of

Whether you need to switch careers to find a more lucrative position or simply want better job stability than your current place of employment, a community college is a good place to start. These two-year schools can help you change career tracks much faster than a traditional four-year school, and many offer career placement services to high-demand industries in the area. Check out these career options that require two years of training or less if you are getting ready to make a big switch.

Paralegal

Those who are fascinated by the field of law, but don’t want to spend the next few years of their life in school, can find their niche as a paralegal. This professional works alongside lawyers, conducting research, writing briefs, and interacting with clients. According to Yahoo Education, those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field of study may be able to earn a certification to work as a paralegal in as little as a few months. Another option is to pursue an associate degree in paralegal studies, which takes just two years to complete.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the average annual salary for a paralegal in May 2010 as $46,680. Predicted job growth for the industry is estimated to be around 18 percent between 2010 and 2020. This position is typically found in a law firm, corporate legal office, or government agency.

This video explains how to become a paralegal.

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