Community colleges were instituted in the 1900s in response to social needs, including an increasing demand for the further education of adults. Some of these colleges, called 'normal schools', trained the teachers of the day. Later in the century, because of industrial development, these two year colleges allowed recent high school graduates as well as adults to train for the many technical positions that were coming into being. Because of changing demands, the focus of community colleges eventually included providing the first two years of college education after which students could transfer to a four year university setting. Many community colleges of today include this option along with technical and vocational training in such areas as phlebotomy, x-ray technician, air conditioning repair, automotive repair and the like.

Some community colleges now also provide four-year degrees. Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC) in Florida is one of these. By offering a bachelor's degree, Daytona Beach Community College, a part of the Daytona State College system, helps those who wish to pursue this option, but cannot afford the cost of a four-year college or university. Another advantage of this program is that students don't have shop around for a four-year institution that will accept credits from a community college.

A few DBCC programs available to students are CCAMPIS, which offers assistance in paying for childcare to parents who attend the school; Teen Parent Program, which is designed to assist young pregnant women, who are still in high school, to earn college credits; and support for students with disabilities including a computer lab that can be fit to the needs of the student. One of the most important aspects of DBCC is the assistance they provide to help students find entry level jobs. This is accomplished through online resources like a place to store cover letters and resumes; registration for career days and job fairs held on campus; lists of employment opportunities; and personal calendars that help students keep track of upcoming on-campus career events.

Community colleges have evolved a lot in the past 100-plus years. The affordability and versatility of schools like DBCC make it possible for more people to achieve their career goals.

Article by freelance writer Rebecca P