Creative Careers

Community colleges offer a myriad of degree programs for students interested in creative careers. From glass blowing to fashion design, community college degrees are opening doors into many creative industries. Learn how you can prepare for a career in radio broadcasting, cosmetology or music at community college.

View the most popular articles in Creative Careers:

Community College vs. Trade School

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Community College vs. Trade School
Is community college or trade school a better fit for your career of choice?

After you graduate from high school you find yourself thrust out into the world with an endless array of possibilities. For many people, the years after high school are filled with more school, typically at a 4-year university. Another option, however, is community college where you can receive an education (or at least take some of your classes) at lower tuition than traditional universities in preparation for your future. Another option many people consider is a trade school. But what is the difference between community college and trade school, and how do you know which option is right for you?

This video compares trade schools and community colleges.

What Exactly is Trade School?

Also known as a technical school or a vocational school, a trade school is a program that offers students hands-on experience related to a specific career. Some of the careers that you can look forward to with a degree from a trade school include skilled labor positions like electricians, machinists, mechanics, pharmacy technicians, dental hygienists, and nuclear technicians. Compared to four-year schools that require students to take electives or general education courses, the education you receive at a trade school is more streamlined and the curricula focus on developing a specific skill set and knowledge base to ensure success in your chosen career. Many trade school programs also require students to complete some kind of apprenticeship where they work with a professional in their chosen field to learn more about the occupation by doing

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Community College: Creative Arts Programs

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Community College: Creative Arts Programs
Express yourself! We paint a picture of the more creative community college degrees for those with a natural artistic flair.
Do you have a creative spirit waiting to be unleashed on the world? Then put your talents to lucrative use with a degree from your local community college. With many artistic degree programs waiting for you, get ready to explore the many avenues you can pursue with your ability. These 10 community college degree programs represent just a smattering of the many possibilities waiting for students who want to let their artistic side shine.

Photography
 
Document your world in photos with a photography degree from the community college of your choice. Many schools across the country offer degrees in photography, including coursework in studio photography, black-and-white photos, and digital color techniques. Many will include photography history and theory classes to round out your studies. This degree can launch a career in your own studio or work on staff as a photographer with a larger company.
 
Jewelry and Crafts
 
Create beautiful accessories to match any style and mood with a degree program in jewelry and crafts. El Camino Community College in California is just one of the schools that offer a degree program in jewelry making and design. This program teaches students to work with gems and precious metals to express their own artistic style. Coursework might include stone cutting and polishing, metal finishing, enameling, and gemology. Students may also delve into basic design concepts and guidelines for establishing their own personal style.
 
Theatre Arts
 
William Shakespeare once said, "all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women
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Community College: Two Year Degree Programs

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Community College: Two Year Degree Programs
In just two years, you can be trained to become a video game developer, aviation mechanic, or even emergency dispatcher. Be inspired by 10 of the most interesting and unusual fields now open to community college graduates.
Community colleges offer a plethora of program options today, ensuring everyone who enrolls in one of these two-year schools can embark on the career of their dreams. For some, community college is a stepping stone into higher education that allows them to transfer to a college or university and pursue a four-year degree. For others, community college is the whole ball of wax – the training necessary to launch an exciting career path. For those who fall into the latter category, here is a list of 10 exciting fields you can enter with only a two-year degree under your belt.
 
Hospitality Manager
 
Hospitality managers can work anywhere there is a restaurant, hotel, or cruise ship – which means just about anywhere in the world. While many work their way up the hospitality hierarchy without formal training, an associate degree and on-the-job experience will get you where you want to go much faster. According to a report by Fox Business, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates the average salary for a food-service manager to be $46,320, while a hotel manager averages $45,800 annually.
 
Graphic Designer
 
Let your creativity shine with a position as a graphic designer. This professional works with a wide range of mediums, from print publications to film and the web. Graphic designers consider the vision of each individual client while weighing the needs of the target market to create messages that are attractive and effective. A two-year degree program is often sufficient for entering this industry, which boasts an annual
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Performing Arts at Community Colleges: Best Music and Theater Programs

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Performing Arts at Community Colleges: Best Music and Theater Programs
Community colleges offer a wide variety of music and theatre programs. Whether you are building your career foundation or exploring the performing arts, consider all the available resources.
A potential college student interested in pursuing the performing arts as a career or hobby may not look to a community college as their first choice in realizing that dream. However, many community colleges nationwide offer state-of-the-art facilities and first-class instructors in theatre and music today. Whether you are looking for a college major program or simply a place to ham it up onstage after class time, a community college might be the perfect place to explore your creative side.
 

The Benefits of Music in Higher Education

Music is a beneficial component to add to the higher education experience, whether it is a major course of study or something to enjoy on the side. According to Tarpley Music, some of the benefits of music in education at any level include:

  • Social Benefits – Studies show that students who participate in some sort of music program while in school have a lower incidence of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.
  • Scholastic Benefits – Music students also tend to score higher on standardized examinations, whether in primary, secondary or post-secondary schools. They also earn more “A’s” and “B’s” in their coursework than students who are not in music.
  • Behavioral Benefits – Research from the National Data Resource Center shows that students in music programs are less likely to be classified as “disruptive” in school
  • Intellectual Benefits – One study suggested that music training is superior to computer training in enhancing abstract reasoning skills used in math and science courses.
  • Quality of Life
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Careers: Glass Blowing

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Careers: Glass Blowing
If mixing your creativity with beautiful glass sounds inspiring, consider starting your hobby or career in glass blowing at community college.
Are you looking for a whole new field of study at community college? Why not give glass blowing a try? This popular hobby is now being offered in courses at community colleges across the country.  Whether you are looking for a profession as a glass blowing artisan or simply want to add another piping hot hobby to your repertoire, glass blowing might be the opportunity to let your inner artist shine. This article will explore the history and craft of glass blowing and provide a few samples of colleges that are offering formal training in this skill.
 
What is Glass Blowing?
 
According to Wise Geek, the history of glass blowing dates back to approximately 200 BCE. During those very early years, glass blowing was primarily used to create vessels to hold liquids. Through its long evolution, glass blowing has become an art form used for creating beautiful pieces that lovers of the craft can proudly display in their homes and office buildings.
 
The process of glass blowing requires very hot conditions, created by heating ash and limestone in a fiery furnace. The glass is heated to a molten state, where it can be molded and shaped into everything from large vessels to tiny detailed forms. The shaping takes place through a blowpipe that the artist blows into to form a bubble within the molten glass. Details can be added to the glass during the blowing process, using tweezers to pull and shape the glass into various forms.
 
This video explains glass blowing
 
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