What You Should Know About Graduating From Community College in West Virginia
As you review community college programs, you should take into account your career and salary aspirations. Data from May 2021 shows that the jobs with the highest median wages for associate degree holders in West Virginia were radiation therapists, air traffic controllers, magnetic resonance imaging technologists, and engineering technologists.
Associate degree holders searching for jobs in West Virginia should consider careers that tend to have a high level of job availability. The occupations projected to have the most annual job openings until 2031 are paralegal and legal assistants, physical therapy assistants, preschool teachers (excluding special education), mechanical engineering technicians, and radiologic technologists.
While some career fields are expected to grow, others are expected to decline. The jobs that are estimated to have the greatest percentage drop in employment for associate degree holders in West Virginia are funeral home managers, morticians, human resources assistants, and architectural and civil drafters.
What’s Next?
As you prepare for higher education, it’s important to understand the financial aid resources available to you. We’ve attached a list of federal and state resources that help associate degree students find grants, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities in West Virginia.
- West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC). WVHEPC supports students pursuing higher education by offering information about state loan programs, federal aid, and career-based scholarships.
- Federal Student Aid. Over $120 billion is granted to students every year by the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid. This money is offered in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities, and loans. Check your eligibility through the FAFSA4caster and apply by completing the online FAFSA form.
- CareerOneStop. This resource is sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and facilitates access to scholarships and grants. After filtering information by degree level and state, users will encounter a list of scholarships and details about award amounts, qualifications, and deadlines.