JJC Blog

As semesters end and seasons change new opportunities for personal and professional growth emerge. Graduating students may be updating their resumes and looking at transfer options as new job opportunities spring up and enrollment periods open. At Joliet Junior College, each summer there’s a chance to explore both at the Joliet Regional College and Career Fair, June 15 from 2-6 p.m. It takes place inside the Event Center at Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt Road in Joliet. The fair is open to JJC students, alumni and community members.

Dozens of employers and four-year colleges and universities will be in attendance to share information, answer questions and even provide on-site interviews. Here are five things you can do to prepare for Wednesday’s fair and future job and academic advancement opportunities.

After two years of navigating virtual and drive-thru graduation ceremonies, Joliet Junior College is excited to return to a traditional format this year to celebrate the Class of 2022! JJC is holding two in-person ceremonies at our Event Center at Main Campus on Friday, May 20.

With two ceremonies, the college can maintain social distancing and also provide each graduate with four tickets for their family and friends. Masks will be optional. Those who wish to wear a mask are encouraged to do so. The afternoon ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m., with the evening ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m. The college’s graduation page details the times that specific degrees and certificates will be awarded. 

No doubt the emotions will be high for our students as they prepare to take the next steps in their academic and career journeys. Which of these emotions do you think you'll identify with when the moment arrives? 

April is Community College Month, and an opportunity for colleges across the country to celebrate how we’re serving our students. As the nation’s first public community college, Joliet Junior College is proud of its standing within higher education, and the ways that we’ve driven student success throughout our 120-year history. So how much do you know about JJC? Let’s find out!

Illinois community colleges play an important role in supporting economic growth and placing students in high-demand jobs. A new statewide report found that the highest job vacancies are occurring in healthcare and engineering, due to industry growth, attrition and retirements.

JJC is continuing to support the current and future needs of the workforce through a variety of new and existing academic programs. Here are four JJC programs that will train you for in-demand careers.

In response to Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker’s vaccine or test mandate, Joliet Junior College has partnered with health verification system Cleared4 (C4). This system allows students and employees to upload their vaccination cards, weekly test results, and take a daily health screening. Using the system allows JJC to verify the health of those coming to campus and ensures compliance with the mandate.

Using C4 will allow students and employees to obtain an Access Pass, which gives them clearance to be on campus to attend classes or for work. Here’s how the system works:

With the pent-up demand for travel, you’ve likely been thinking about, already planned, or completed some trips this summer. If you’re still planning to hit the road in the near future, it’s a good time to make sure your car is just as ready as you are to get away!

Students in Joliet Junior College’s Automotive Technology program spend more than 500 hours learning about and repairing actual customer vehicles using modern equipment and technology inside our state-of-the-art facility. Our professors help them become more detail-oriented, and grow their organizational, problem solving, and customer service skills.

Below, our automotive experts offer you this detail-oriented checklist to prepare you for your next road trip.

Joliet Junior College’s Corporate and Community Services offers several continuing education courses, including professional development and career training programs, lifelong learning workshops, Kids College and contract training programs.

This summer, community classes are meeting in person in accordance with the college’s COVID safety protocols. Here, we spotlight five new course offerings that you can get involved with at JJC for the first time!

Night school is a hallmark of community colleges, offering students and the community the convenience of furthering educational goals with flexible scheduling. JJC’s Evening College flourished before and after World War II. The interesting history of JJC’s night school program during this challenging time period is reminiscent of the adjustments the college has made over the past year to accommodate students during COVID-19.

JJC’s adaptability and commitment to providing educational opportunities can be explored in the From the Archives article, featured in the spring 2021 issue of JJC’s Connections Magazine.

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month. And as we continue to navigate through this pandemic, it's a great time to take stock of your emotional wellness. JJC’s Student Wellness Program – Mental Health can help!

It is easy to forget to take care of not only our physical self but our emotional self. Often during periods of change and adjustment, many will put themselves on the backburner and sometimes even forget to take care of their basic needs of nutrition, sleep, and activity. Here are five basic ways to take care of your emotional wellness, courtesy of JJC’s Student Wellness Program – Mental Health.

In planning your academic future, you’re likely exploring costs, plus federal and state financial aid assistance. For Joliet Junior College students, the window is now open to also apply for fall 2021 scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded through the JJC Foundation, with over 895 provided last year totaling more than $757,000 in support. Get the most out of your education at JJC and apply for fall 2021 scholarships by the May 1 deadline. Here’s how: