Junior Colleges are finding a high surge in enrolment this spring. Even before the large state and private universities started raising their tuition and student costs, enrolment at the cheaper and smaller junior colleges took off full steam. Many parents and students saw the merit in attending the hands on technical colleges which would provide their graduates with a certain trade and job security.
What does this mean for the universities? It means that they are not deluged with student applicants and should be mindful that not everyone can afford the huge triple thousand digit costs of attending their ivy plastered walls. Students are weighing their options and really planning wisely what they want from their education? If they want to walk out with several job offers and lots of hands on experience, then the junior colleges are for them.
Trades, such as electricians and plumbing, carpentry and bricklaying are going to be very scarce unless some of the students apply for these programs at the junior colleges. Similarly, the leading occupation to work in is medical care. Technicians for laboratories and x-ray departments are in big demand as the population ages. Geriatrics and Personal Care Workers are going to be the largest sector of employment as the seniors choose to stay in their homes.
A university degree in the Arts and Sciences is not the ideal for everyone. If the graduate of the junior college in nursing wants to continue his or her education then he can return to the university which offers the B.SC Nursing. Otherwise the diploma programs will be quite adequate for most. Currently there are some junior colleges which offer degree programs in conjunction with universities which is a wonderful system.
No matter how you stir it, students need to stay in school as long as possible and ride out this economic downturn.