10 Great Community College Degree Programs for Introverts

Community colleges have come a long way since their inception. Instead of falling into the ranks of the “fallback” plan, many of these schools have now become the first choice for students looking to change career direction or explore higher education for the first time. With a focus on the community college system in recent years, the changes on these campuses have been even more pronounced, with a wider variety of degree programs, services, and even on-campus housing. Check out these five ways community colleges have evolved to become full-service institutions of higher education.

Greater Diversity in Degree Programs

Community colleges were typically known for their relatively generic liberal arts degree programs, but not any longer. Today’s students can choose from a wide range of two-year degrees, ranging from fine arts to engineering. Many of the degree programs at community colleges today are industry-centric, meaning they focus on training individuals for jobs in the local market. Schools even partner with employers in the community to ensure the training students receive at the community college can take them right into the workforce.

Some of the unique and interesting programs you might find at your local community college today include:

• Solar Energy Technology
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Performing Arts and Music
• Computer Engineering
• Exercise Science
• Nursing and Healthcare
• Manufacturing Engineering

Even fields like culinary arts, funeral home management, and criminal justice can be studied at some community colleges. No matter what you are interested in studying,

Pennsylvania is a state with a high unemployment rate and a large number of frustrated displaced workers. It is also a place where numerous industries are unable to fill positions because of the lack of untrained workers. How does the state plan to remedy these two problems quickly and effectively? Thanks to recent federal funding into the state’s community college system, training for in-demand jobs is on the way for Pennsylvania residents that need those jobs the most.

What is JobTrakPA?

JobTrakPA is a new Pennsylvania program created with federal dollars from the Department of Labor. The agency recently awarded the state a $20 million grant through the Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training (TACT) program. The program allows displaced Pennsylvania workers to train for in-demand jobs within the state by pairing community college course offerings directly with the needs of the community. The program has awarded grants to states across the country that demonstrated a need for job re-training and the necessary resources to provide the right kind of training to displaced workers in the community.

“Pennsylvania employers tell us that they have jobs waiting for workers with career-specific skills in several high-growth industries,” Dr. Alex Johnson, president of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, told the Herald Online. “Community colleges are part of a nationwide effort to provide a new skill-set to our workforce that will create career pathways for qualified workers in the shortest possible

Institutions of higher education are just that – where students can continue to learn, grow and develop professionally and personally. Community colleges are particularly adept at this task, offering a wide range of learning opportunities for students of all ages and walks of life. From young students still years from their college years to senior citizens who never want to stop discovering new things, these campuses offer a wealth of learning opportunities. Check out these 10 ways you can make the most of the programs found at your local community college.

Get Ahead in High School

Running Start is a program available through many community colleges in Washington. According to the Tacoma Community College website, this program allows high school juniors and seniors to get a head start on college credits by taking college-level courses while they are still in high school. The program offers many benefits, including saving on college tuition and choosing from a broader course selection. Other states offer similar programs to aspiring college students.

It is important to note that these dual-credit programs are not without their share of requirements. Students are typically expected to maintain a high GPA in their high school courses to qualify for the program. In addition, they will be required to achieve a prescribed GPA in their college coursework as well. College classes may also be offered on weekends and during school holidays, leaving dual-enrollment students little free time.

Finish High School

Many community colleges

California community colleges have been struggling recently, facing dwindling budgets and increasing scrutiny from college regulatory agencies. Governor Jerry Brown has now taken the community college problem into his own hands, signing legislation that will significantly change these higher education institutions. Concerned about the low completion rates the California community college system now faces, Governor Brown focused specifically on laws that would increase the odds of student success at community colleges throughout the state.

The Student Success Act of 2012 of 2012 or SB

One of the key pieces of legislation Governor Brown recently signed into law was the Student Success Act of 2012 or SB1456. The Press-Telegram reports that this bill focused on the state’s community college system to improve completion rates and student success at these institutions. The Student Success Act of 2012 includes several specific measures community colleges must now utilize to help their students succeed in college. Some of the measures include:

• Development of a student education plan to help students plan course schedules accordingly
• The requirement that all incoming students attend an orientation session before taking courses
• Minimum standards for academic success to receive fee waivers
• Creation of a student success report card that will be used to determine future funding
• The addition of an all-new assessment test will help place students in the proper classes

The bill also contains a provision that ensures new community college students can get the courses they need to launch their degree programs. Currently, students in