Archive for the ‘bachelor's degrees’ Category

Getting Your Start at Community College

Monday, October 29th, 2007

If you think of community colleges are last resorts for underperforming students, think again! Community colleges can be affordable places to take classes, expand your horizons, hone your skills, and/or prepare to enter a bachelor’s degree program.

Data does not bear out the stereotype that community colleges are only for slackers. In fact, the data show the exact opposite — more often than not, community college graduates go onto earn their bachelor’s degree, and often graduate degrees, also.

Why are community colleges so popular? Because they are affordable, convenient, and offer quality classes for less money than it costs to take equivalent classes at a four-year university.
Indeed, community colleges have a lot to recommend them:

Convenience: Not only are community colleges close to your home, but they offer classes during days, weekends, and evenings, so you’re sure to find classes that work with your schedule.

Affordability: Smart students have long known that community colleges are a source of inexpensive college credit. Community college credits cost a fraction of what they would cost at a four-year university, and nearly all credits are transferable. Indeed, it is increasingly common for students to attend community college for two years before they transfer to a four-year university — saving thousands of dollars in the process.

Quality: Community college classes are generally taught by dedicated professors and feature small classes. Small classes are a huge advantage, because they make it that much easier to connect with classmates, ask questions of your professor, and get help whenever you need it. In essence, community colleges feature the intimate classes also common among high-priced traditional universities — without the astronomical tuition costs.

Selection: Take a look at the course catalog of the nearest community college and you will find a wide variety of classes in every discipline you can imagine. Taking classes that interest you at community college can help you discover your passions, become a better employee, or get a head start or your bachelor’s degree.

Posted in associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, campus-based degree programs, community college | No Comments »

Choosing a Major – Helpful Guidelines

Monday, October 29th, 2007

Choosing a major can be one of the most daunting parts of getting your education, whether you are straight out of high school or a mature student. The following steps can help you make a decision that you can live with.

Be honest with yourself. Try to identify what you are truly passionate about. What are your priorities? What do you really enjoy doing? Don’t just choose a major because you think it will lead to a well-paying career; that will set you up for unhappiness and misery. Instead, be creative in finding ways that you can translate your skills and hobbies into a career. There are no rules here – with many schools allowing students to design their own majors, the sky is the limit!

Do your homework. When considering a few different majors, research the outlook of the jobs/industries you are considering, as well as potential salary. Use a variety of sources — books, websites, and other people — to learn about what you can really expect out of the careers you’re considering. Students in the course of study you are considering, as well as those working in the field you are considering, are invaluable resources for honest perspectives. In addition, specialized books and websites (available in your local library or via a simple Web search) summarize the trends in various fields, give you insight into what sorts of students succeed in various careers, and tell you at a glance which colleges offer the major(s) that strike your fancy.

Give it a try. If a career sounds great to you, then get your feet wet! Many experts recommend that you volunteer intern in the field you are considering. This experience will give you invaluable insight into what it’s really like to work into the field — before you start spending money on classes. In addition, this experience can give you a leg up, by helping you hone important skills and network within the field.

Plan ahead. Identify a desired endpoint, or a goal you would like to meet. Then, work backwards and learn what degrees you need to earn and classes you need to take. If you are planning on getting your master’s in social work, for example, that will affect what classes you take at the associate and bachelor’s degree level, as well as extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, and internships you may want to explore.

Posted in adult education, bachelor's degrees, continuing education | No Comments »