What You Should Know About Graduating From Community College in Oregon
Oregon residents pursuing higher education should take into account their career and salary goals. Data from 2021 shows that the top five careers with the highest median wages for associate degree holders were radiation therapists, dental hygienists, nuclear medicine technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, and air traffic controllers.
After obtaining their associate degree from a community college, many students enter the workforce. The careers projected to have the most job openings within the next decade in Oregon are preschool teachers (excluding special education), paralegals and legal assistants, dental hygienists, electronics engineering technicians, and forest and conservation technicians.
While some occupations are expected to increase in employment, others are projected to undergo a substantial drop over the next ten years. In Oregon, the jobs expected to decline for associate degree holders include broadcast technicians, desktop publishers, and electro-mechanical and mechatronics technicians.
What’s Next?
As you look through the different community colleges in Oregon, it’s important to consider how you’re going to fund your education. Here is a list of federal and state resources that connect Oregon learners to the scholarships, grants, and loans available for associate degree students.
- Oregon Department of Education. The Oregon Department of Education is a valuable resource for students interested in learning more about state grants, scholarships, and funding.
- Federal Student Aid. Every year, over $120 billion of financial aid is provided by the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid. To see if you meet the eligibility qualifications, visit FAFSA4caster. You can apply online by completing the FAFSA form.
- CareerOneStop. Sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CareerOneStop serves as a valuable resource for finding scholarship awards for your desired degree level and state. The site gives you direct links to scholarships and offers useful information about award amounts, qualification requirements, and application deadlines.