Careers: Music Industry

Community colleges across the country are leading the green revolution, as administrators are tuning into the many benefits an environmentally responsible campus provides. One particular institution, Butte College in Northern California, will be the first college in the country to boast a positive grid campus, producing more clean energy than it uses, according to a press release. While Butte College is setting the standard for greener campuses, other colleges are following suit with a variety of creative programs designed specifically for sustainability.

Paying for such environmental changes can be a hefty undertaking, as colleges like Butte have found. However, the federal government has pitched in to help Butte fund its sustainability efforts through low-interest loans like Clean Renewable Energy Bonds and benefits from the American Recovery and Investment Act. Other colleges have also found funding assistance through state and federal government agencies, while still others have footed the bill for some of their projects themselves or through private donations.

Butte College

By May of next year, Butte College will become the first positive grid campus in the country. At that time, the college predicts that it will be producing more sustainable, on-site solar energy than it actually uses; in fact, Butte will become the biggest energy-producing college in the world. The excess energy Butte generates will become a positive source of income for the college, according to Dr. Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College's president.

"Sustainability is

As more students flock to community colleges today, institutions are staying ahead of rising enrollment with creativity and flexibility. The newest offering at many community colleges across the country is early class times that allow for additional course offerings and work around professional students' busy schedules.

However, do classes before dawn really make the grade? We looked at three different community colleges with early course offerings to find the answer.

"Early Bird" Classes at Gateway

Gateway Community College in Connecticut is just one of the many colleges opening up their campuses for early birds. According to a report in the Hartford Courant, Gateway will begin offering its first set of "early bird classes" during its fall semester. The courses will begin at 6:30 in the morning and let out by 8 a.m., giving you plenty of time to make it to your day job.

"If you work the average day shift, this could be a simple way to get a class done before you go to work," Dean of Academic Affairs Mark Kosinski states on the college's website. Kosinski also told the Courant, "We are constantly looking for new ways to meet the needs of our diverse student body so we'll be looking closely at the results of this pilot to see whether it should be expanded beyond the fall semester."

In addition to flexible scheduling for professional students earning degrees while working full-time, the earlier schedules will provide more courses for Gateway's overflowing student

If you have a passion for real estate and enjoy working with people, a job in property management might be a good choice for you. This field is a growing one, as more people turn to professionally managed communities and properties to live and work.

A degree in property management opens the door to a host of possible career options, including onsite property management, buying and selling properties, and working as a leasing agent.

Many community colleges have recognized the potential this industry offers, and campuses are now providing property management programs to help you get the training you need quickly and economically to move into a lucrative, rewarding career.

Careers in Property Management

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a degree in property management can launch a number of lucrative career options, including:

• Onsite Property Managers – These professionals handle the daily operations of a property, ensuring that repairs are completed in a timely fashion and maintenance keeps the property in top condition. These managers work closely with current tenants to enforce the terms of rental contracts and handle complaints. They may also deal with prospective tenants, showing vacant properties and getting leases signed.
• Real Estate Asset Managers – These property managers usually handle the purchase, sale and development of properties on behalf of owners or investors. Instead of working through the daily operations of a property, these professionals usually involve themselves with the big picture, choosing properties that Houston Community College work well

Whether people are toasting their good fortune or drowning their sorrows, there is always a demand for qualified bartenders to cater to their needs. This field is one of the most recession-proof industries for those hoping for a steady paycheck in the midst of any economic conditions, according to Bartending.org.

While bartender training can usually be completed in a matter of weeks, the cost for such programs varies greatly. Enter community colleges, once again meeting a vocational training need for as little cost as possible.

Requirements for Bartenders

There are a number of subjects you must master in order to become a highly qualified bartender today, including:

• The ability to mix a wide range of shaken and stirred drinks
• Responsible bartending, including how to recognize intoxicated patrons and respond appropriately
• Complete product knowledge of supplies typically used behind the bar
• Preparation speed to serve a maximum number of customers in a short period of time without sacrificing quality of product or service
• Interpersonal skills to put your customer service offerings ahead of the pack

In addition to the basic skills acquired in a bartending program, students may also need to become certified by the state in responsible bartending. For example, the Connecticut Department of Liquor Control requires bartenders to have both state and national SMART (Servers and Managers Alcohol Responsibility Training), according to the website for Tunxis Community College.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that some vocational training programs can specifically help