What You Should Know About Graduating From Community College in Alabama
As you pursue higher education, it’s important to consider your career potential and salary expectations. Data from May 2020 revealed that the highest paying jobs that require an associate degree in Alabama were air traffic controllers, radiation therapists, avionics technicians, occupational therapy assistants, and funeral home managers.
After getting their associate degree, many students decide to enter the workforce. The occupations projected to have the most annual job openings in Alabama between 2018 and 2028 are preschool teachers (excluding special education), paralegals and legal assistants, physical therapist assistants, dental hygienists, and electronic engineering technicians.
When reviewing your career options, you should also consider which jobs are expected to undergo a drop in employment. The jobs projected to have the greatest decline for associate degree holders in Alabama are respiratory therapy technicians, desktop publishers, electro-mechanical technicians, human resources assistants (excluding payroll and timekeeping), and mechanical drafters.
What’s Next?
As you research community college programs in Alabama, keep in mind which financial aid opportunities are available to you. Below is a list of federal and state resources that connect associate degree students to the different grants, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities in Alabama.
- Alabama Commission on Higher Education. This commission gives students an overview of the financial aid process in Alabama, including student grant programs, scholarship awards, and state loans.
- Federal Student Aid. Every year the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid grants over $120 billion in financial aid. Interested students can determine their eligibility at the FAFSA4caster and, if they qualify, apply through the online FAFSA form.
- CareerOneStop. Sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this resource offers helpful information about the different scholarships available in every state. After filtering information by degree level and location, users gain access to details such as award amounts, qualification requirements, and application deadlines.