JJC Blog

Certificates are a great way to improve your skill set and further your career. With many certificates requiring fewer than 25 credit hours to complete, you can gain more knowledge in your field fast! At JJC you can choose from more than 100 for-credit certificate options, some offering online and hybrid courses.

Want to get into the workforce quickly?

JJC offers a number of for-credit certificates (check out our list of 15 JJC certificates you can earn in one year or less) that will help get you into the workforce fast, but for some careers, there may be an even quicker option. Below, we list five non-credit certificates, offered through JJC's Corporate & Community Services Department, that provide you with job-ready skills and a training credential.

Even though these classes do not provide credit toward a degree program, you can promote them on your resume to help you land a job. In most cases, these classes will provide the training you need to qualify to take certification exams. 

Non-Credit Programs vs For-Credit Programs
Non-credit programs are short-term (typically lasting one semester or less) and provide job-ready skills. They do not count toward a college degree or college certificate. For-credit programs are more traditional and count toward a college degree or college certificate. 

Questions about these programs or others not listed here? Contact Training Coordinator Chris Lester at dlester@jjc.edu or call (815) 280-1423. You can also visit trainingupdate.org.

Want a career that's off the beaten path?

JJC offers more than 180 degrees and certificates - including some fascinating fields of study to choose from! Our list below includes five unique careers that only require a JJC degree. Take a look!

What is Career-Based Education?
JJC, other community colleges and trade schools offer a number of degrees, certificates and programs that are considered career-based education (or just "career education"). What do these programs have in common? They all aim to get students into the workforce immediately after they graduate. Many of these programs are technical-focused, like automotive service technology or welding, but many are not, like diagnostic medical sonography or radiologic technology. 

Why Career-Based Education is Thriving
It's no secret that career-based education is thriving. Many of the career paths you can study for are in need of more employees (in part due to a retiring workforce for some fields). Several industries pay their staff well and because students can get training for these jobs at community colleges and trade schools in two years or less, it's both a popular and affordable way to start a new career.

Check out our list below to see five careers you can study for at JJC, or browse our A to Z index for more career-based education fields.

Did you know that you can earn a JJC certificate in as little as four to 50 college credits?

In fact, if you plan it right, you can complete many of JJC's certificate programs in one year or less. Certificates are a great way to get your feet wet if you're interested in an area of study. Plus, many students who earn certificates start working in their field immediately. Below, we've listed 15 JJC certificates that you can complete in one year or less.

Want to know more about JJC's 180+ degree and certificate programs? See the complete list.

It's no secret that college can be expensive - but it's also an investment in your future. When you spend money on classes to obtain a degree, remember that you're doing it to give yourself a huge advantage in the workforce.

How huge? You may be surprised to learn how valuable a college degree really is - even if you're only planning on getting an associate degree. Take a look at five reasons why college is a good idea despite the high cost below. 

Undecided about your major? You're not alone. According to the academic advising journal The Mentor, approximately 20 to 50 percent of college students are undecided in their first year of college.

To see which JJC majors would best fit your interests, we've created a quick 11-question quiz that follows the six basic personality types outlined below. Make sure to keep track of your answers as you go along.

Looking for a more in-depth test to help you choose a major? Take the JJC Career Services Career Coach assessment here.

Need some more clarity? Make an appointment with a counselor at the Career Services Center. Call (815) 280-2756 or email careers@jjc.edu.  

Note: This article was published in 2017. It reflects the most popular majors from Fall 2017.

JJC offers a ton of degree and certificate options - more than 180 different types to be exact. From nursing to computer science, the choices are all across the board. But have you ever wondered which majors were the most popular?

According to data pulled from JJC's Institutional Research Office, most students have declared that they are earning an Associate of Arts degree (37.2 percent). Associate of Science degree earners make up 12.2 percent of students. After that (not taking into account students enrolled in dual credit classes) here's our list of the most popular JJC majors.

For a complete list of JJC degree and certificate options, click here.

For Gainful Employment statistics, click here.

Thinking about your future career? Consider career education. These jobs are on the rise in the Joliet region, and we've compiled a list of the most in-demand positions you can obtain with only an associate degree. Check them out below!

All information was pulled from the EMSI data set for the Joliet region. 

Please Note: This article was published in 2017.

Not sure about your major? No sweat! 20 to 50 percent of students are undecided when they start college, and up to 75 percent end up changing their major. But while it's perfectly OK not knowing where you see yourself post-graduation just yet, it's also important to start weighing your interests and career options now.

JJC offers more than 180 degree and certificate programs (click here to see them all). If you're looking for a job you know will be relevant after you graduate, take a look at our list of up-and-coming fields and the careers you can land with a degree in each field.

Not enrolled at JJC? Apply here.