The Community College Career Track: How To Achieve The American Dream Without A Mountain Of Debt

Get a good education without massive debt, and enter a field that's actually hiring
In coming years, millions of great jobs will be opening up in growth areas like advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, health care, information technology, and sustainable energy. These jobs can pay as well as, or much better than, the average income for four-year college graduates. They generally offer high levels of day-to-day satisfaction. And the path to all of them begins in the community colleges. In The Community College Career Track, Tom Snyder gives young people and their parents, as well as mid-life career changers, a practical, inspiring guide to taking that path and completing it successfully.The old model of a bachelor's degree leading to a good job and career has broken down for large numbers of young people, many of whom graduate college only to work in a career that doesn't require a degree. Meanwhile, millions of productive American white collar and blue-collar workers have been laid off and need retraining for second careers. This book helps you find a new way forward.

* Offers insights on how to save money over a lifetime through an affordable college education that provides high-paying jobs
* Author Tom Snyder is the president of Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana's statewide community college system and the largest singly accredited community college system in the country

Author Tom Snyder has confronted the education-jobs mismatch from both sides, first as a highly successful business executive and now as an award-winning educator. Follow his efficient, affordable, and rewarding path to a great career and a satisfying life.

THOMAS J. SNYDER is the President of Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana's statewide community college system and the largest singly accredited community college system in the country. While he was CEO of Delco Remy International, the company grew from $500 million to $1.3 billion in global sales. He has confronted the education-jobs mismatch from both sides, first as a highly successful business executive and now as an award-winning educator.

Part I. The Best Higher Education Value in America
Chapter 1. Why Community College Is a Great Choice for Almost Every Student
Chapter 2. Affordable for All: Paying for Community College and Lowering Your Total Higher Education Costs
Chapter 3. Scholarships and Financial Aid
Chapter 4. It’s Not Where You Study, It’s What You Study: Why Everyone Should Consider a STEM-Related or Health Care-Related Career and Why Community College Is the Best Place to Start
Part II. Great Community College Options - and You Can Choose More Than One
Chapter 5. The Smart Start to a Bachelor’s Degree: How to Use Community College as a Stepping Stone to a Bachelor’s Degree
Chapter 6. Two-Year Degrees and One-Year Professional Certificates: Gateways to Great Jobs and Careers
Chapter 7. On Campus or Online?
Part III. Getting Ready for Community College
Chapter 8. What You Should Do to Prepare for College Level Work if You Are Now in High School
Chapter 9. What You Should Do to Prepare for College Level Work if You Are a Career Changer
Chapter 10. Self-Assessment Tools to Help You Prepare for the Tests That Determine Where You Start in College
Part IV. How to Succeed in Community College
Chapter 11. If You’re Going to Community College Directly from High School as a Full-Time Student
Chapter 12. If You’re Going to Community College as a Part-Time Student or a Career Changer: Juggling Classes, Homework, Your Job, and the Rest of Your Life
Conclusion: Achieving the American Dream
Appendix: The Higher Education America Needs: Win-Win Partnerships Between Community Colleges and Employers
Appendix: Additional Resources
Notes
Acknowledgments
Index