What You Should Know About Graduating From Community College in Connecticut
As you prepare for community college, it’s important to consider your career and salary goals. According to 2020 data, the highest paying occupations that require an associate degree in Connecticut were radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists, dental hygienists, air traffic controllers, and diagnostic medical sonographers.
You may find more success if you focus on career fields that typically have high job availability. The occupations projected to have the most job openings for associate degree holders over the next decade are preschool teachers (excluding special education), paralegals and legal assistants, dental hygienists, electrical engineering technicians, and veterinary technologists.
Associate degree holders in Connecticut should take into account the occupations that are expected to undergo a drop in employment. The jobs expected to decline over the next ten years are human resource assistants (excluding payroll and timekeeping), air traffic controllers, cardiovascular technologists, dietetic technicians, and nuclear medicine technologists.
What’s Next?
While researching different community colleges, you should consider how you plan to fund your education. Below is a list of federal and state resources that connect associate degree students to scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities in Connecticut.
- Connecticut Department of Education. The Connecticut Department of Education supports students pursuing higher education by offering helpful information about both federal and state-based financial legislation and grants.
- Federal Student Aid. The U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid assists students across the country by offering over $120 billion in financial aid every year. Students can see if they qualify by visiting the FAFSA4caster, and they can apply by filling out the online FAFSA form.
- CareerOneStop. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sponsors this resource to help students find scholarships available in their state for their degree level. The site also provides useful details about dollar amounts, qualification requirements, contact information, and application deadlines.