Courses in College

STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has become the edge the U.S. needs to compete in the global workforce of the 21^st century. How to get that education is now a source of discussion for business and education leaders. The shift from four-year schools to a two-year degree is a pronounced one, and while it may not be right for everyone, it is a key component in the economic health of this country. Are community colleges becoming the new leader in STEM education?

The Rise of STEM

Community College Week reported on 2012 data released by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology that suggested that if the U.S. is to remain a STEM leader, the country must produce one million more STEM graduates than current rates projects. The Atlantic reports that according to a 2011 STEM report from the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University, 92 percent of STEM workers will need post-secondary education by 2018. Around 35 percent of that number will require training at the community college level, while another 65 percent will need baccalaureate degrees.

STEM fields are extensive today, including a wide range of engineering and science industries. Some of the fields currently being transformed by innovations in science and technology include construction, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, biotechnology, transportation, and energy. STEM might include work with computers, electricity, biochemistry, statistics, engineering, and geography. There will also be a demand for teachers who can

Remedial Math Gets a New Look at Community Colleges Nationwide

As community colleges across the United States strive to improve dismal completion rates, one factor stands out as a stark obstacle for degree-seeking students – remedial math. Many students need remedial math classes after taking placement tests for community college. However, semesters of remedial math prove to be costly and time-consuming for those students. Sadly, many community college careers both start and end with remedial math. Fortunately, schools nationwide are devising new systems to give students the math instruction they need without jeopardizing their ability to earn the desired degree.

New Math Pathways Match Instruction to Needs

In California, community colleges are trying a new approach to remedial math classes. Instead of requiring students to take courses in subjects they may never need or use, math classes are customized to a student’s specific major and area of interest. For example, aspiring engineers may need remedial algebra to prepare appropriately for the math required in their degree program. However, English or history majors might be just as well suited to a class in statistics that teaches basic math concepts quickly and effectively.

According to a report in the Sacramento Bee, at least 16 community colleges across the state have adopted this approach to remedial math – so far, with great success. The publication reports that students in the new pathways program are completing math classes at a rate two to four times higher

Community college has offered opportunities to many students throughout their history. In recent years, those opportunities have been extended to incarcerated populations, offering inmates the skills and training to find productive lives after prison. By bringing education to those currently in the prison system, the hope is that once they leave the system, they will never return. Does higher education in prison work as intended? Read on about the efforts by some colleges to transform incarcerated individuals for the better.

This video outlines how education for inmates produces beneficial results.

New College Program in Mississippi Aimed at Correctional Facility

A handful of inmates at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson, Michigan, are getting a new lease on life. Fifteen prisoners at this institution are enrolled in a pilot program featuring college courses from Jackson Community College. The inmates are enrolled in four rounds of studies from the school, according to a report at mLive. Classes include a computer course, available through a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The inmates themselves pay for the rest of the classes. Some are using money they saved before incarceration, while others are relying on friends and family to foot the bill until they are released and able to begin earning their living. Most prisoners are ineligible for financial aid from the government, and even those who have some eligibility have

While many college students today are opting for a two-year degree over four years in school, there is an even shorter option to consider. Community college students are finding that certificate programs can be completed in much less time, yet reap the same employment benefits as a full degree program. Check out these benefits of professional certification from your local community college.

Consider the Statistics

While many are still out of work in the United States, millions of jobs remain unfilled. Why? There are no skilled workers to fill the slots, according to a report at CNN Money. Employers need workers who can come right into a position with the necessary training and experience. However, much of that training is not available through four-year universities. Instead, students must turn to schools that are providing the specific training employers in the community require. This is the important void that community colleges are learning to fill – and often through certification and licensing programs.

This video compares a professional certificate vs. a master's degree.

Fast Turnaround

Community college degree programs typically take around two years to complete, but certification programs can take significantly less time. AOL Jobs estimates that most certificate programs range in length from six months to one year. In addition, coursework for these types of programs is often offered in the evenings or on weekends for students

Plenty of degree programs offer a better fit for those who aren’t cut out for office politics and team-building activities. Introverts will find a wealth of options at their local community college that prepares them for jobs where they can fly solo much of the time. Whether your passion is art or analytics, check out these community college options to launch a career that fits you to a “T.”

Accountant

If crunching numbers is your forte, the job of an accountant may be a good option. This career, which can be launched with an associate degree, provides many opportunities, from balancing the books for small businesses to huge corporations. These professionals keep company ledgers up to date, pay bills, and file taxes annually. It is a job that requires inordinate attention to detail – and plenty of solo office time. According to AOL Jobs, the average annual salary for an accountant is $61,690.

Paralegal

Fascinated by the legal profession? Introverts who love dabbling in law but cringe at the idea of representing a client in a courtroom might enjoy the paralegal role. These professionals often enter the industry with a two-year degree that prepares them to analyze legal documents, conduct research for a specific client, and write briefs. The job can also be a way to get a foot in the door to other interesting positions within the legal profession. AOL cites the average annual salary for a paralegal as $62,853.

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