Back to School, Back to the Future

The signs of fall are upon us. No, not cooler days and autumn leaves. Rather it’s the abundant information about college courses and dorm room decor and the deluge of ads for school supplies that are popping up in mailboxes, magazines, and just about everywhere we go.

If you are thinking about upgrading your lifestyle with a new career or better paying job in 2020, now is the time to act.

Education pays—especially in today’s job market. Middle skill jobs, those that require more than a high school diploma but less than a bachelor’s degree, make up some of the fastest growing employment sectors in the country.

And, the more you learn, the more you earn. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median monthly earnings of full-time workers in 2017 were approximately $2,800 for high school graduates (no college) and $4,800 for those with bachelor's degrees. The Community College League of California states that students who earn a California community college degree or certificate nearly double their earnings within three years.

Affordable local community colleges offer career training in fields as diverse as nursing, real estate, construction management, and performing arts. A community college can place you on a low-cost pathway to a bachelor’s degree. Or, you can upgrade your skills and earning potential by taking a few courses that will give you advanced technical training or up-to-date computer skills.

If you are a first generation college student, have limited finances or are unsure about navigating complex admission procedures, a community college is the place for you. Student support services abound and friendly staff will walk you through registration, the financial aid process, creating an educational plan, tutoring options and much more. Work with them to design a program that fits your current work and family responsibilities and will lead to college success.

What could be more exciting than starting this fall with a viable plan for achieving the career of your dreams? As Mark Twain so famously said, ““Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

About the Author:

Dr. Edward C. Ortell is the senior governing board member at Citrus College and a Professor Emeritus at Pasadena City College. He has served on the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) state board of directors and eight terms as president of the Citrus College Board of Trustees.