Career Training

If you are considering a future career or a professional change, let the winds of change take you into a new industry. For community college students, the American wind energy industry is growing rapidly. Consider the following indicators:

• The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reports that by the end of 2008, approximately 80,000 people in the United States were employed in the wind industry, up from 50,000 at the end of 2007.
• Wind turbine installations in 2008 were up 50% from the previous year, according to the AWEA report.
• By the end of 2008, the United States had pulled ahead of Germany to lead the world in terms of wind energy production and cumulative wind power generating capacity.
• The 2009 federal stimulus is providing federal funding to colleges and universities in various states to support the development of wind turbine technology.
• The U.S. Department of Energy has developed a Wind and Hydropower Technologies Committee, which is working to realize a goal of having 20% of the energy in the United States produced by wind by the year 2030.

The explosion of the wind energy industry comes at the perfect time for Americans who are out of work and looking to enroll in a community college program that can train them for a new career.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that wind turbine technicians “build or service individual turbines, help with the construction of entire wind farms, or work indoors at

If the combination of flour, sugar, and eggs delight you, then it may be time to consider a career in baking! Today’s community colleges offer specialized baking and pastry arts programs that are perfect for budding culinary artists. Whether you want to start your own bakery or work as the head pastry chef for a five-star restaurant, you can knead your start right at your local community college.

A Career in Baking and Pastry Arts

A Growing Field

Some Americans looking to find new job prospects in these challenging economic times are finding that an age-old skill – preparing delicious food for others to eat – may be the answer to their modern-day job search. An increasing number of community colleges offer training programs that are specially designed for students who would like to embark upon lucrative careers as bakers and pastry chefs. Fortunately for those who love to create delicious baked goods, the job market for professional bakers and pastry chefs appears to be thriving. With proper training and certification, an amateur baker can turn himself or herself into a well-paid professional culinary artist.

What Bakers and Pastry Chefs Do

A pastry chef develops recipes and prepares desserts, which may include cakes, pies, cookies, breads, rolls, sauces, glazes, custards, pastries, and candies. Pastry chefs often work for upscale restaurants, hotels, private clubs, and catering companies. They may also work in retail or wholesale bakeries. The National Restaurant Association reports that in a

Taking event planning courses at a community college can be highly effective in developing the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field. These courses provide a comprehensive foundation in event management, covering various aspects such as event design, budgeting, marketing, logistics, and risk management. With experienced instructors and practical coursework, students gain valuable insights into the intricacies of organizing successful events. Additionally, community college programs often offer opportunities for hands-on experience through internships or collaborations with local organizations. These practical experiences allow students to apply their learning in real-world settings, enhancing their understanding of event planning processes and fostering important networking connections. Overall, the combination of theoretical learning, practical training, and industry exposure makes event planning courses at community college a highly effective pathway for individuals aspiring to thrive in this dynamic profession.

Are you known to be the life of the party? Do you find yourself drawn to the glitz and glamour of formal events and festivities? If so, harness this intrinsic quality by pursuing a career in event planning – starting right at your local community college!

To cater to society’s needs to celebrate, certain community colleges around the country have expanded their curriculum to include event planning courses. Through wedding planning, etiquette, and management courses, you can learn the necessary skills for a successful career in event planning.

More than Decor and Invitations: Event Planning Courses

While most community colleges typically do not issue event planning degrees, many applicable courses are

Careers: Broadcasting

Whether you’re interested in entertaining, sharing insightful commentary, reporting interesting news stories, or working in production, a career in broadcasting and radio may be perfect for you! If you have the charisma and drive to work in this interactive field, begin your journey with the proper training at your local community college.

Careers in Radio Broadcasting

Depending on one’s professional goals and interests, students can pursue a variety of degree pathways to develop the necessary skills for a radio career.

Commonly, students pursuing a career in professional radio earn their Associate of Applied Science degree. Students can enroll in departments such as broadcasting, telecommunications, or even specialized programs designed for radio technology and production. In examining some of the core classes often required by such programs, students may need to complete mandatory courses such as:

• History of broadcasting radio
• Public speaking
• Radio broadcasting and writing
• Advertising
• Related technology and computer courses
• Related legal courses about FCC guidelines and broadcasting laws

While each college has its course requirements, broadcasting programs can often expand to include training for television and radio. For example, students enrolled in Cayuga Community College’s Telecommunications program are exposed to combined instructional models to learn about both radio and television broadcasting. As a result, students in the program enjoy courses such as “Journalism Practicum,” “Interactive Media Production,” “Media Writing,” “Audio for Media,” as well as “Radio Practicum” and “Radio and TV Announcing.” Every community college’s broadcasting program varies, and some may specialize specifically in radio.

Welding continues to provide steady career opportunities, which range from creative endeavors to logistical practices. For many community colleges, studying welding can open lucrative doors for lifelong employment. According to Syndicate Pay Scale Data, professional welders begin their careers with an average starting salary ranging from $54,000 to $71,000 per year. Best of all, the annual pay increases exponentially with years of experience, which means technical welders with 20 or more years of experience can earn an average of $100,000 annually.

Welding commonly involves using heat and technology to join various metal parts; building on this core focus, some aspects of a welding career can include the use of equipment to create welds and the inspection of welds to ensure specifications and standards are met. Additional tasks may involve reading blueprints, drawings, or other visual or written instruction forms.

Through diverse training and degree options at community colleges across the country, students can begin to prepare for their career through an Associate of Applied Science of Welding degree or a Welding Technology Certification.

The Employment Prospects for Technical Welders

Professional welders most commonly work in the manufacturing industries. Often hired to create industrial machinery, transportation vehicles, and other forms of fabricated products and pieces of equipment, trained and licensed welders can take advantage of a wide variety of employment venues.

In fact, adding to the manufacturing options, many welders also work