For many students, community college is merely a stepping stone to a four-year institution of higher learning.
It's a way to save some money while earning general education credits, or raise grades so that acceptance into one's school of choice is possible by transferring to Ivy League or tier 1 universities.
But most students still take those one or two extra classes required to obtain an associate's degree anyway, even though they have plans to go on to a bachelor's and perhaps a master's program.
And for those that go this route, many job opportunities are available.
This could be excellent news for the student that plans to work during their final years of schooling, but also for those that need to take a break to save some money, and especially for any student who is sick of school and ready to start a career.
So here are just a few great prospects for those that would like to use an associate's degree to start earning a little more money.
Nurse
Many nursing programs require only 1-2 years of instruction, which is why most community colleges offer a variety of nursing programs.
Of course, you will have to complete clinical hours, as well as pass the standard examination (NCLEX) in order to obtain certification or licensure, but considering that nurses are in high demand and that the average registered nurse clears $65,000+ a year, it is well worth jumping through a few hoops.
And this is especially true for students who are seeking a career that requires little schooling and allows them to utilize both their technical skills and their bedside manner to help those in need.
IT specialist
There's no denying that the current batch of college students is more technically savvy than previous generations; chalk it up to being raised with computer technology.
But still, some schooling is generally in order if you want to nab a job in the IT field.
Luckily, you don't have to resign yourself to seven or eight years of schooling to obtain a computer science degree in order to start a career in your chosen profession.
A couple of years spent in a targeted program on a community college campus will give you the knowledge and skills you need to become a corporate computer monkey.
P.S. You can buy a lot of bananas with a $50,000+ per year average salary.
Dental hygienist
Becoming a dentist will require a medical degree (read: LOTS of schooling).
But if you're interested in a job with set hours, good benefits, and access to inexpensive dental care, you can use your time in community college to learn the fine art of oral health care in order to become a dental assistant or hygienist (keep in mind that these two jobs come with different training and skillsets).
As with nursing, you will have to test for certification before you can practice. On average, dental assistants earn nearly $40,000 per year while hygienists can pull in a cool $70K.
Radiology technologist
This growing field has attracted plenty of students because it offers them the ability to work with technology as well as with people.
And with two years of schooling, including clinical hours, plus certification, practitioners could be pulling in $45,000 a year on average.
Paralegal
Whether you plan to go on to a degree in law, a school of philosophy, or a political science major, starting as a paralegal can help you on your way.
Or maybe you're just happy assisting lawyers with their research.
Either way, you may be able to start working with nothing more than your AA (although some states do require licensure).
On average, you can expect to pull in a respectable annual salary of $55,000 in this field.
