Junior College
As competition for jobs around the world becomes increasingly fierce, one must not only have a good educational background and a college degree, but must also possess certain technical skills and expertise in order to stand out among other applicants. With more than 1.5 million students graduating from colleges around the country every year, it is important for you to stand out when applying for a job. Having technical skills in an area such as computer aided design (CAD), computer graphics, networking, or even the knowledge of a foreign language gives you an edge over others. To an employer, your technical skills and knowledge make you stand out among others while giving employers an insight into your interests and natural abilities. A person with technical knowledge is preferred by most employers because he or she not only have knowledge of a particular field but is familiar with its practical application and usage in daily life.
What is a junior college? What are some of the advantages of attending one?
A Junior College is a post secondary educational institution that focuses mainly on providing vocational, technical and professional education. Students enrolled in a junior college normally take classes in a particular field for two years and are awarded an associate degree. Most junior college students choose to transfer to a traditional college or university, transferring credits earned at junior college. These credits go to toward meeting the requirements of a four year degree. Students who graduate from junior college can easily obtain well paying jobs based on their technical skills and knowledge. Graduates who choose to top of their degrees with a further two years of study at a university give employers the complete package: sound technical knowledge combined with a solid educational base, which makes them ideal for all sorts of jobs in the industry.
How did junior college start?
The idea of junior college was proposed by the founder of the University of Chicago, William Rainey Harper. An accomplished educator, familiar with the shortcomings of the country’s education system, Harper put forward the idea of a two year preliminary course of instruction for high school graduates. This would give students a broad exposure to various fields of science and knowledge, and allow them to explore their interests and choose a career of their choice. At the same time, it would provide a smoother transition from high school to college, which many students found extremely challenging, and as a result dropped out and left their studies incomplete. This resulted in the establishment of the Joliet Junior College in Illinois. In order to support education in junior colleges, groups of teachers from well established universities were visiting junior colleges around the nation, providing short courses in areas such as science, arts and literature. These groups also included instructors who taught people various technical skills such as woodwork and gave them tips on how to better raise their crops and livestock.
Junior college today
From there, the aspect of technical and vocational education caught hold so fast, that by the end of the 19th century, more than ninety five percent of junior colleges were offering vocational education and technical training. Today, the idea which a Chicago teacher put forward a long time ago has greatly changed education in our nation. More than six million students are enrolled in over twelve hundred junior colleges across the country, and graduating with the knowledge and skills required to become a successful member of the workforce.