If you have determination, a good work ethic and enthusiasm, then maybe you wouldn’t mind scoring a solid career sooner rather than later.
By enrolling in a community college, you can open yourself up to a world of career possibilities that require just a couple of years of schooling.
Here are three career options you can pursue at a community college.
Paralegal
Being well-organized, interested in law and personable are among a paralegal’s characteristics.
A paralegal, put simply, is a legal assistant. Paralegals conduct interviews with clients and witnesses, draft legal documents, conduct legal research and summarize depositions, testimonies and interrogations.
At the Community College of Denver (ccd.edu), paralegal students are required to participate in a six-credit-hour internship before earning their degree.
One student there helped research a project dealing with police use of taser guns, says Stacey Beckman, professor and department chairperson.
“The ACLU lawyers ended up using her research in their briefs and press conferences on the issue,” Beckman says.
On average, paralegals make about $46,680 a year. Beckman says that paralegals with specializations or experience can make upwards of $90,000 per year.
Dental hygienist
When your job revolves around healthy teeth, it’s hard not to smile.
Dental hygienists provide preventive services, such as dental prophylaxis, patient education, application of topical fluoride treatments and dental sealants, says Margaret Six, director of the program at West Liberty University (westliberty.edu). Before dental hygienists get their licenses, they must complete a National Board exam and Regional Clinical Board exam. In preparation for these tests, students undergo clinical experience.
The average earnings of a dental hygienist is about $70,210 per year.
Hospitality
Whether it’s Aunt Mable visiting (complete with sloppy kisses and cheek pinches) or dog sitting your neighbor’s not-so-friendly Rottweiler; you’ve been required to be hospitable once or twice.
If these occasions went well enough to impress Mom and Dad, then maybe it’s time to consider a job in hospitality.
Earning this degree, says David J. Barrish, assistant dean at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (jsr.vccs.edu), is “increasingly a springboard for students intent upon opening their own bed & breakfast, bakery, restaurant or catering business.”
With a job that requires you to work with people constantly, you’ll encounter a variety of situations. That’s why on-the-job experience is expected of a hospitality major.
The average salary of those in the hospitality industry depends on which career you choose. Income can range from $35,000 to $65,000 depending on your career path.
Marissa MacKenzie Longstreet is a student at Finger Lakes Community College (flcc.edu) and was an intern for The Next Step Magazine.
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