Recap: The First Ever White House Summit on Community Colleges

With college graduation rates trailing today, more emphasis is being placed on community colleges to ensure our country’s future economic stability. A recent AP poll suggests that most Americans are realizing the many benefits of a community college education, bolstering the image of these institutions as a viable alternative to four-year universities today. This poll comes when the White House has launched the first-ever summit on community colleges.

What the Numbers Show

According to a report on Google News, the Associated Press and Stanford University conducted a poll to determine Americans' attitudes toward community college. The poll found that the vast majority of Americans (71%) believe it is advantageous for some students to attend a community college rather than a four-year institution. Nearly the same number polled agreed that an education received from a community college is "excellent" or "good."

The poll also asked whether community colleges adequately prepare students for a professional job after graduation. Of the individuals polled, 62% said community colleges adequately prepare students for the workforce, while 68% said that four-year universities succeed in this goal. These numbers indicate that most Americans today are pleased with the education received at a two-year college, improving the image of community colleges in the world of higher education overall.

The only groups that did not find community colleges on par with other institutions were Blacks and Hispanics. According to the poll, 43% of minorities believed it was better to get into

Community colleges have always been at the forefront of training students for both traditional and innovative careers...and ghost-busting is no exception! Indeed, a handful of community colleges are actually offering paranormal studies to train students in the interesting field of ghost-busting.

Be spooked or inspired by the paranormal studies available at the following community colleges. Could researching ghosts be the right career choice for you?

Ivy Tech Community College

This Indiana institution is known for many strong fields of study, but recently, the college added paranormal investigation courses to its catalog. These courses, according to the Kokomo Perspective, are designed to explore the world of paranormal behavior in a way never seen before.

The teacher of the course, Al Taylor, is the PR director of Indiana Ghost Trackers. Taylor will lead students on an exploration of paranormal research that will include conduct and safety, as well as the proper use of paranormal equipment.

The courses are offered at two different Ivy Tech campuses and are done in collaboration with the Kokomo Region of the Department of Workforce and Economic Development. This organization offer provides career training solutions to help fill the needs of today's employers.

Alamance Community College

In North Carolina, Alamance Community College is offering its own brand of paranormal training. The school's current class in paranormal investigations has been consistently topping the list as

Cosmetology has traditionally been the realm of trade schools that specialize in training and licensing hair stylists, nail technicians and skin care specialists. Many of the current trade schools are directly tied to a specific product brand, such as the Aveda chain of training institutes. However, the face of cosmetology is changing - and not just with new makeup skills. Today, cosmetology programs are expanding into community colleges that recognize a background in basic business principles, as well as cosmetology training, will help graduates move into and advance in the field of cosmetology.

Career Outlook for Cosmetology

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the general job outlook for the field of cosmetology is favorable, with employment expected to grow at a faster than average rate in this industry. The industry is also considered one of the few recession-proof areas in which to work today. Cosmetology may incorporate the following positions:

• Barbers who are responsible for cutting and styling men's hair
• Hairdressers and stylists who cut, shampoo and style hair
• Manicurists and pedicurists that work specifically with polishing nails and applying extensions
• Estheticians or skin care specialists that offer facials and full body treatments

Nearly all of these positions will require licensure by the state in which the individual will work, although specific requirements vary by location and position.

This video explains the pros and cons of being a cosmetologist.

Bringing Business to Cosmetology

For many high school graduates interested in the armed services, enlisting right after graduation is the obvious option. However, the decreasing numbers in our armed services today have left many of the divisions ill-equipped for the training regimen of new recruits coming into the programs.

Community colleges across the country have stepped up to shoulder some of the additional load, offering courses specifically geared to military personnel in all armed services branches.

It is not unusual for community colleges to answer the occupational calls of our country today. Many colleges are now providing training in industries that need more employees, filling the needs of companies while giving individuals opportunities to step into recession-proof careers. However, the idea of providing military training is catching on, as community colleges offer the specialized training new recruits need to handle the responsibilities of the armed services today.

This video explains how you can do your military training and go to college.

Training in San Diego

San Diego City College is at the forefront of military training in an academic setting. According to a report at Sign on San Diego, this college received a very humble start in training military personnel in the 1970s, offering them math and English classes to supplement their military training. Today, the college offers a nationwide network that employs nearly 500 instructors, many of whom were former service members