Community College is too often seen as the typical “junior college,” or the higher education option for people who were not smart enough or rich enough to attend a four-year school. In high school, those who discussed attending community college usually added on their plans of transferring to a four-year school, working full-time while taking classes, saving money, or another typical justification for why they were attending. It appears that people do this to try and make it look like they chose to attend a two-year school instead of a four-year in the hopes that people would not assume they were dumb or poor. These attitudes, which are perpetuated by both students and parents, cast a depressing shadow on community colleges, which actually happen to be one of the best resources available in our economy.
One of the most glaringly obvious reasons why community college is a good idea is money. With today’s economy coupled with the student debt crisis, the U.S. has seen a huge increase in high school graduates and adult learners choosing community college. Not only is it 1/3 of the cost of most in-state four-year schools, but it also helps people to avoid the predatory student loan system. Because all community colleges are public, they are mostly funded by the state. Tuition and fees definitely add to the schools’ revenue, but the majority of the funding comes from the state or federal government. Unlike private schools, and for-profit colleges, community colleges are funded by the community, for the community, and are generally meant to improve the lives and careers the people living in towns around them.
Community colleges offer more than just a financial loop hole, however. They also offer a wide range of degrees and certificates, many of which are not available at four-year schools. As an example, Holyoke Community College offers degrees and certificates in Deaf Studies, Forensic Science, Human Services, Clean Energy, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, and Electronic Media. Most of these programs are very applicable to growing job fields, however none of them are offered at nearby UMass. While UMass does offer courses similar to them, they do not give recognition for the coursework in terms of a degree or certificate. So while people may argue that high school graduates who are undecided should go to big university to determine what they want, it might actually be better to attend community college. A lot of the programs are more practical and offer an important choice in terms whether the person desires a very general, or very specific program. Thankfully, most community colleges offer both.
In terms of practicality, community colleges do offer more preparation for entering the work force than universities. Personally, I have spent the last two years attending Holyoke Community College for a Deaf Studies certificate, and UMass for a bachelors degree in Communication at the same time. Because of this, I have been able to juxtapose the resources offered by UMass, and HCC, and came to the conclusion that HCC has offered significantly more help in finding jobs and internships than UMass. For example, HCC requires the completion of an internship in the field of Deaf services in order to finish the program. At first I was extremely nervous about finding the right one, but HCC also designated one class to preparing for jobs and internships. So far, we’ve learned how to build a resume, learned interview tips, heard from people who are currently working in Deaf Services, and had a few presentations where the speaker told us about jobs available and companies that would hire us based on the degrees we were getting. I am aware that UMass offers similar resources to its students, but I find that the difference lies mostly in how the information is presented. Instead of setting up career fairs and seminars, HCC brings the resources directly to the student in the classroom. I have never been able to attend one of UMass’s career events because I’ve always had a conflict with class or work. At HCC however, the events and speakers are in class with me, and so I pay attention if only because I have nowhere else to be.
Another reason why community colleges should be better encouraged is the flexibility and inclusion that they offer. Classes are held all day as well as at night, on weekends, and online. This allows people who work full time, have kids, or have other commitments during regular business hours to take classes and get credit for them at a time that works for them. This flexibility is extremely important because it allows people who are stuck in deadens jobs to educate themselves around their work schedules and eventually help them get better jobs, while still making money from the one that they have. This system helps in a small way to lift people out of poverty, as well as to close the wage gap by allowing working mothers to get higher education and move up to better jobs.
To briefly summarize, community college gets a bad rap that it does not deserve. Community college has given me many opportunities that I would not have gotten from just attending UMass, and I look forward to taking more classes there. I hope that people will change their attitudes about community college, and maybe even consider taking a course or two there themselves.