Community college is becoming a more popular choice for graduating seniors, due to the convenience of location and affordability. Many seniors are looking to community college as a way to kick start their careers, or as a more affordable way to begin their higher education.
“Some of our career-related programs include our fire service technology program for those who want to be a firefighter. We have an EMT paramedic program, we have automotive technician programs, so we just have a number of programs for folks to come in and get the skills that they need to get to work,” said Dyrell Foster, Ed.D., president of Las Positas College.
Along with career pathways, community college continues to provide students with more time to decide what direction they want to take after high school. Students are given many experiences and opportunities to explore future career possibilities.
“Historically, community colleges have been a place for students to explore and spend time figuring out what they want to do. But we’re set up and structured now for students who know what they want to do, they can come in and we put them on a path,” said Foster. “We still provide opportunities for students to explore, if that’s what they want, and they can do it in a place that’s close to home, that’s comfortable, but we also provide a path for students who know what they want to do, and we get them in and out in a timely manner.”
Students who choose to transfer after completing their first two years have a guaranteed transfer opportunity into the school of their choice depending on their GPA.
“We have guaranteed transfer programs with UC’s and CSU’s as well, and so we just have a lot of opportunities for students who want to stay close to home and get that college experience here in the local community, and then transfer wherever they want to go,” said Foster.
Those who choose community college are also able to maintain a level of familiarity while receiving higher education, as they are in their hometown and close to friends and family. With a much smaller number of students on campuses such as Las Positas, they are able to receive more one-on-one time with their professors, and build the confidence they need for a four-year college.
“They’re able to find their place here, within themselves, but also with the confidence to know that they can be successful in college. So I think an advantage is that we have so many support services, and it’s a small, intimate campus,” said Foster. “Any given semester we serve about 8,000 students, whereas if you think about larger UC’s being amongst 30,000 or 40,000 students. For some students, this is a good environment to start off their college career.”
Community colleges like Las Positas College also offer courses that students are able to take while they are in high school.
“We have our dual enrollment program, so students can take college classes while they’re in high school for free, which is another great benefit so you can knock out some of your general education courses and have college credit before you graduate high school,” Foster explained.
Along with the opportunities it provides, community colleges often have campuses similar to 4-year college campuses.
“I would just advise students to come drive by the campus on a weekend, check out our wonderful facilities; it’s a beautiful campus right here in our local community,” said Foster.
