Careers: Emergency Technician

In spite of times of economic uncertainty, professional experts assert that careers in the legal profession will continue to stand strong amidst a dwindling job market. Specifically, paralegals are projected to be among some of the most steadily paid individuals in the coming years. Colorado Community College says, “Although the job market is bleak, the high demand for paralegals makes it an attractive choice for a new and diverse career, regardless of age.” A recession-proof career as a paralegal is a strong, dependable, and financially rewarding option.

While law school costs may be unrealistic, community college paralegal programs present an expedited and affordable option for those interested in the legal field. Paralegal careers allow individuals to work in law without paying for the soaring educational costs of a four to eight-year college program. Paralegal studies can generally be completed in one to two years, allowing students to pay for more affordable educational programs and enter the job market more quickly.

The Rise in Demand for Paralegals

The career of a paralegal often involves completing many tasks and responsibilities that have traditionally been performed by lawyers. The paralegal career has seen a shift in responsibilities, as the cost to hire lawyers to perform these same tasks has skyrocketed. According to Colorado Community College, “Today paralegals are fulfilling an important role in an expanding and graying population that increasingly ?requires legal services.”

It is cheaper to hire a certified paralegal to perform the various duties of

Whether the economy is growing or recessionary, teaching is often considered to be one of the most stable careers. While teaching salaries and wages vary from state to state, most teaching positions tend to hold strongly amidst times of economic turmoil. Additionally, teaching often allows educators to pursue alternative careers and interests during the summer vacation season.

While teaching certainly offers an array of challenges and obstacles, many assert that seasonal freedom and job security offer positive incentives for interested adults. With these perks and benefits, earning a teaching certification in a community college may be a safe and strong professional move.

Benefits of Earning a Teaching Certification

As the Birmingham Mail reveals in their article “Teaching Offers More Secure Path in Troubled Times,” the average number of people now considering pursuing careers in education has gone up nearly 34 percent in the past year. As the economy encounters unstable bouts of turmoil, a rising number of professionals and students are seeking out the potential advantages of a teacher’s job security.

Interested candidates should seek out local or national scholarships and job offerings. For example, areas of high-need will often pay for a teacher’s training and certification program if he or she agrees to work in that particular region for a certain period of time. Specifically, many inner-city schools or rural schools are considered to be “high need,” as their rate of student success paired with their high

With only two years spent on campus, community college students often find that graduation is upon them before they have taken advantage of all the valuable opportunities available!

To make the most of your community college experience, consider volunteering with community college groups and organizations. Volunteerism can help boost your experience, your resume, and your professional network while providing you with an array of additional perks.

Build Your Resume

Most community college students and graduates are aware of the highly competitive tensions in the job market. To ensure that your resume stands out from the rest, boost your credentials by including various volunteerism activities. Volunteering lets employers know that you care about your community and work well in teams. Also your volunteerism experiences can also provide employers with more insight into your interests, as groups that are devoted to environmental, regional, or other specific causes can say quite a deal about your character.

Include your various volunteerism activities on your resume to show more about yourself as a personable applicant. Include these activities to show how you have gained valuable work experience. For example, if you were the leader of your volunteerism group, explain how this experience has better prepared you for the career in which you are applying. Leadership and involvement are key attributes that can help boost an application and resume.

This video from the Times Higher Education discusses the benefits of student volunteerism.

Could being social and involved on your community college campus lead to better grades? According to the Community College Survey (CCS), there is an inherent link between student involvement and academic performance.

Based on the CCS, student involvement in campus opportunities lead to better learning and academic performance. While many school leaders are devising new ways to increase student participation, community college students should be self-motivated to become more involved in the full collegiate experience.

Benefits of Engaging in Campus Opportunities

According to researcher Christopher Chaves of Community Colleges Los Angeles, the earlier a student engages in campus participation, the better the results. For example, nearly all community college students who participate in a freshman orientation program tend to hold greater retention rates, complete their degrees, and earn overall higher grades than individuals who did not participate in orientation.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, four local North Carolina community colleges revealed: “that involvement in a freshman orientation course improved student performance regardless of race, age, gender, major, employment status, or entrance exam scores.”

Studies support that community college students utilizing campus opportunities tend to experience greater developmental benefits than those who do not participate in such venues.

What Else Students Can Do: How to Get Involved

Utilize Academic Support Centers

According to Chavez, students who take advantage of campus-wide learning centers tend to experience greater academic benefits and performance results. Whether you are struggling with a specific topic or simply want to be fully