college 101 community colleges
A Practical Approach to Reaching Your Goals
Professional Major League Baseball players . Olympics contenders . Teachers . Top nurses . Lead engineers . YOU .
With advisors that can help you plan your best future , your local community college is a practical start for your ultimate college experience .
What Does ACCS Have to Offer ? A total of 24 community colleges across the state make up the Alabama Community College System ( ACCS ). ACCS colleges are Alabama ’ s gateway to world-class , affordable education and technical training for nearly 145,000 students . These colleges have flexible in-person and online classes . Each college also offers financial aid opportunities to help pay for tuition .
Why Choose a Community College ? Community colleges provide a sense of comfort for students , providing them with a smooth transition from the high school classroom to a college setting . Instructors on ACCS campuses interact one-on-one with their students , making the effort to know the names of each person . Students can also engage in a variety of clubs and organizations , including honor societies , eSports teams , ambassador groups , and student government associations . Community college classes cost less than half the price for the same core classes at four-year universities in Alabama , so many students start taking classes at their local community college before transferring to a four-year university . The Alabama STARS Guide helps ensure that core classes from the community college transfer with the student , so there ’ s no worry about taking a core class that won ’ t count toward your four-year degree .
How Can ACCS Help Me Reach My Goals ? In addition to awarding degrees , ACCS works with businesses and industries to help students build credentials that they can use to go straight to work . They cover soft skills and more specialized credentials through Skills for Success , ACE , and other programs .
Momentum continues to build across the Alabama Community College System , and they want you to become part of their success . Academic and workforce advisors are available at every community college in Alabama to assist you with planning out your college experience . Contact your local community college today . They ’ re waiting on you !
Top Programs at Alabama ’ s Community Colleges :
GENERAL STUDIES More than half of the students enrolled seek a two-year general studies degree that can transfer toward a four-year university bachelor degree program . Some students earn their associate degree through dual enrollment before graduating high school .
NURSING Licensed practical nursing ( LPN ) and registered nursing ( RN ) programs are available across every region of the state . Community colleges also offer nursing apprenticeships that let students work and get paid before they even graduate college , and some community colleges have partnerships with four-year nursing programs . Entry-level nursing position salaries can begin at $ 47K and nearly double with years of experience .
INFORMATION SCIENCES Students interested in application development , networking , cyber security , and geographic information systems ( GIS ) can earn certifications and quickly work in jobs with a median salary approaching $ 100K .
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING Students who want to pursue careers in manufacturing focus on certifications and degrees such as machine tool technology , industrial maintenance , and mechatronics at community colleges . Entrylevel positions can begin at $ 43K , with a median salary approaching $ 65K . Many employers also offer apprenticeships that help students earn while they learn .
WELDING This high-demand field continues to evolve with features like robotic welding gaining popularity . Graduates can earn up to $ 40-50K upon earning a degree or certificate and can eventually make up to $ 100K and more .
For more information or to take a career assessment to find what career might best fit you , visit accs . emsicc . com .
26 | Winter 2022 www . potentialmagazine . com