Aviation Careers

Updated July 27, 2022

The COVID pandemic forced airlines and all their related and ancillary businesses to shed employees. Consequently, as things ramp back up post-COIVD, there are tens of thousands of job opportunities in the sector. Your community college has the resources to prepare you and refresh your skills for new opportunities.

Halfpoint/iStockphoto

The effects of COVID on the airline industry

The COVID pandemic of 2020-2021 wreaked havoc on the airline industry. Passenger traffic dropped 61% in North America and 60 to 70% worldwide. 2020 was the worst year ever for the airline industry, according to the IATA. Both the travel and the airline industry had to downsize. That meant offering retirement packages to some employees and furloughing others. Many employees were laid off or terminated as the airlines struggled to cope with the sudden downturn in passenger traffic. Approximately 400,000 people lost their jobs due to the loss of business. When an entire industry sheds such a large number of employees, severe downsizing has a ripple effect throughout all the related and ancillary businesses that service the airlines. In 2020 that ripple effect was profound. However, 2021 saw things beginning to get back to normal.

Training for new opportunities

. . .read more

Community College Pathways to a Career in Air Traffic Control

Updated November 30, 2022

by J. Mountain

Community College Pathways to a Career in Air Traffic Control

Air traffic controllers enjoy secure, interesting work. Earning a degree in ATC at a community college is an excellent first step to securing a job.

Twenty-five thousand men and women work as air traffic controllers in the United States. Every year between 400 and 500 new air traffic control positions become available. Working in aviation as an air traffic controller is a lucrative career with a median salary of over $100,000 per year.

In order to become an air traffic controller, one must earn a two or four-year degree in aviation control or a closely related field, pass a medical exam, a security investigation, have related work experience and pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s pre-employment tests. The first test, the bio-data assessment, assesses a worker’s experience, general education, and work habits. The second test, the AT-SAT is an eight-hour computer-based test that assesses an applicant’s knowledge directly related to air traffic control.

Two-year air traffic control degree programs are developed specifically to help applicants acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the AT-SAT exam. They are intended to supplement a student’s prior experience in aviation and serve as a pathway to a qualifying to become an air traffic controller. Students with no prior aviation experience can also prepare for the FAA Academy via an accredited two-year program.

The Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative is a partnership between the FAA and thirty different colleges and universities designed to make high-quality Air Traffic Control education available to students around the country. While earning a degree from a college or university within the program does not guarantee that an applicant will get a job in aviation, it is a

. . .read more

Get Job Security through Security Guard Training at Your Community College

Updated June 30, 2022

by Grace Chen

Get Job Security through Security Guard Training at Your Community College

Learn about the licensing requirements of becoming a security guard, as well as how you can obtain security guard training through community college

Security guards are hired in a wide range of venues, from upscale retail stores to casinos and nightclubs. This industry offers stable employment for fewer training hours than many other professions. Because some states now require security guards to complete training before landing positions, community colleges are opening their doors to security guard training, providing state-mandated courses and licensure where applicable.

The Job of a Security Guard

According to Education-Portal.com, some of the duties of a security guard might include:

Protecting property from arson, burglary or damage
Contacting proper authorities (police, fire department) in the event of an emergency
Writing reports regarding observances and occurrences during shifts
Acting as property law enforcer
Interviewing witnesses or victims of crimes
Testifying in court

The job is a diverse one, based on the type of venue in which you work. For example, security guards in a retail store may remain stationary throughout their shifts, while those patrolling a larger piece of property may travel the perimeter of the property multiple times in a single shift. Some will monitor their environment using surveillance equipment from behind a desk, while others work on their feet all day.

Job Prospects

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for security guards is mostly favorable, due to the growing demand for security officers and the need to replace experienced workers who leave the occupation. More and more companies and individuals are seeing the need to protect property and possessions, and they are hiring experienced professionals to do so. These professionals

. . .read more

How to Become an Emergency Technician Quickly and Affordably

Updated June 30, 2022

by Grace Chen

How to Become an Emergency Technician Quickly and Affordably

Learn about community college programs that can help you become certified as an emergency technician affordably and expeditiously.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are highly trained and skilled medical care workers that can provide individuals with on-site medical attention. Oftentimes, EMTs are hired by communities and cities to provide ambulance care, medical support for fire departments, and additional emergency-based care. EMTs are often required to help maintain a patient’s safety after an accident, transport an individual to an emergency hospital, and help assist individuals who are facing trauma.

With the many responsibilities held by EMTs, the careers are high paying and considered to be stable. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average EMT earns an annual salary between $25,000 and $45,000. In addition, the demand for EMTs is anticipated to continue to grow at approximately 19% between 2006 and 2016, which is higher than the average for all other occupations.

Best of all, nearly all individuals can complete their EMT training and certification through a local community college in less than 2 years.

What Type of EMT Training is Required

As Allied Health Schools explains, individuals seeking to complete their EMT training can generally finish all requirements within six months to two years. The time in which it takes to complete an EMT program depends upon the type of program that a student is choosing to pursue. The longer the training and educational period, the more responsibilities the EMT is trained to manage.

Foremost, to earn an EMT certification, all individuals must complete EMT I-Basic

. . .read more

Recent Articles

December 21, 2022

Careers: Marine Biologist

Combine underwater adventures with scientific discoveries and crystal blue waters, and you may have a dream career as a marine biologist. Learn about how you can start your marine biology training right at community college!

December 21, 2022

Cursing in the Classroom: Professor Ousted for Swearing

In a Hawaii community college philosophy course, a professor used profanity to get students' attention and inspire independent thought, but the efforts may have backfired.

December 21, 2022

Why Community Colleges Will Soon Be Accepting High School Sophomores

The next wave of community college students may just be high school sophomores. Learn about the new program that allows high school sophomores to graduate at 10th grade and proceed directly to community colleges.