What Courses Offer the Fastest Path to a Job Today?

There are economic times when students can afford to start college, take two years to explore different majors before selecting one, and then stay in school for a few more years before they graduate and start looking for their first jobs.

But in recessionary economies like the one we may be entering soon, more students want to get their studies done and enter the working world as quickly as possible. Many of them want to spend just a year or two at a community college. Others attend trade schools and jump quickly into the workforce.

Students in both those groups don’t want to spend time “finding themselves” while in college. They want to find jobs! And there are a growing number of students in this category.

What Community College Courses Promise the Fastest Track to a Job?

Here is a quick review of courses that are currently being offered at many American community colleges. We make the assumption that these courses are prevalent because college administrators believe they can lead to jobs:

Business

• Accounting
• Business Management
• Finance
• Marketing

STEM Studies

• Animal Science
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Game Design
• Computer Graphics
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Geology and Earth Science
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Pre-Veterinary
• Web Development

Healthcare Studies

• Operating Room Assistants
• Pre-Dental
• Pre-Medical
• Pre-Nursing
• Pre-Pharmacy and Pharmacy
• Pre-Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistants
• Sports Administration and Training
• Veterinary Assistants

Education

• Early Childhood Education
• Mathematics Education
• Music Education
• School Psychology
• Special Needs Education
• Teacher Assistant Training
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Communication

• Business Communication
• Multimedia Journalism
• Public Relations
• Sports Communication and Marketing
• Visual Communication

What Trade School Courses Offer the Fastest Routes to a  Job?

Again, we conducted a review online, this time of courses that are being offered at American trade schools. Here are some of the more common courses we found.

Construction and Allied Trades

• Alarm Installers and Technicians
• Electricians
• Excavators
• Framing ad Other Carpenters
• Heavy Equipment Operators
• HVAC Installation and Maintenance
• Landscapers
• Plumbers
• Roofers
• Surveyors

Hotels, Hospitality and Food Services

• Customer Service Specialists
• Food and Beverage Preparers and Servers
• Hotel Event Planners
• Hotel Security Specialists
• Hotel Transportation Coordinators and Drivers
• Room Service Food Preparers

Healthcare

• Medical Insurance Claims Processors
• Nurse Assistants
• Patient Transportation Drivers
• Physician and Patient Assistants

Retail Services

• Product Technicians and Installers
• Retail Security Personnel
• Retail Sales
• Calling Center Personnel

Taking the First Steps

It seems that more young people today are willing to start working in careers that they will be willing to abandon or change later on in life. The new practical emphasis is on getting started and adjusting as needed, later on.

To Learn More about Career Planning and Technical Education

We invite all students to explore their career options by participating in our career and college research studies. Students who complete the free career test for high school students will receive information on college and career opportunities which match their interests.

Teachers request research materials today so your students can be counted in this year’s study.