The Advantages Of Starting An Engineering Education At A Community College

At a time when virtually every government agency and many private industry sources are predicting a significant shortage of qualified American scientists, engineers, and technicians, it is important to utilize every available resource to attract and retain students in these fields. Community Colleges, sometimes called Junior Colleges, can play a vital role in addressing this shortage. They present some unique advantages over four year institutions to attract, prepare, and retain students, particularly in technical fields. At a time of increasing higher education costs they present a more affordable alternative to four year institutions. With their small size classes, community colleges provide an environment with a more personalized approach, at the foundation level of college education. They are more adaptable to the needs of students and generally more approachable to their communities. The availability of remedial courses makes community colleges a better option for students with underdeveloped abilities. Two-year colleges also often offer a less expensive way for the undecided students to explore a variety of courses where they can discover the field that best suits their interests. This paper will present a variety of advantages for students who start an engineering education at a community college. It is intended to help engineering faculty, counselors, and administrators at community colleges with their recruiting and retention efforts.