ASSOCIATE OF ARTS (AA - 2 Year)

This program offers the first two years of general education courses designed for transfer to various four-year colleges and universities. Students planning to enter careers requiring a bachelor's degree in such fields as education, social work, journalism, business administration, etc. should choose this program.

Places of Employment

Jobs upon graduation (with a 4-year degree) will depend on major area of study.

Job Outlook

Depends on specialty and regional demand. Visit the Career Center to research specific job opportunities.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE (AS - 2 Year)

This program offers the first two years of general education courses designed for students who plan to transfer to various colleges and universities to major in scientific fields such as engineering, pre-medicine, chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics.

Places of Employment

Jobs upon graduation (with a 4-year degree) will depend on major area of study. These may include positions within laboratories, industrial centers, hospitals, and schools.

Job Outlook

Depends on specialty and regional demand. Visit the Career Center to research job opportunities.

ADVERTISING & GRAPHIC DESIGN

(AAS) (2-year)

Salary varies

Places of Employment

Printing, Publishing, Adverting, Design Business, Textile Manufacturing for Design, Business Services

(Mastercraft, Carpenter Design Inc., R-S Central)

Job Outlook

Design positions are readily available. Many are self-employed. All positions are competitive. Applicant must be able to demonstrate competence.

AUTOBODY REPAIR

(Diploma) (1-year), (*Certificate)

$18,720 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $21,840; Low, $15,600)

Places of Employment

Auto Repair Shops, New and Used Car Dealers, Auto Service Stations (Charles Watkins, Morrow-Motors) and Self-employed

Job Outlook

Employment outlook expects to be average for automotive body repairers.

BANKING & FINANCE

(AAS- 2 -year)

(High, $37,253; Low $17,909)

Places of Employment

Graduates should qualify for a variety of entry-level jobs in banking and finance. Also available are employment opportunities with insurance, brokerage and mortgage companies, and governmental lending agencies.

Job Outlook

Employment opportunities in the field of banking and finance looks promising with an above average growth rate.

BASIC LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING (BLET)

(*Certificate)

$21,840 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $26,000; Low, $19,000)

Places of Employment

City and County Law Enforcement Agencies (Sheriff Department, Forest City Police, Rutherfordton Police, Spindale Police Lake Lure Police, Rutherfordton Police, Spindale Police)

Job Outlook

The job market for persons with the BLET certificate is above average.

BROADCAST PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

(AAS) (2-year), (Diploma) (1-year), (*Certificate)

Salary varies as to size of market and duties.

Places of Employment

TV Stations, Radio Stations, Production Companies

(WHNS-TV, WADA-AM, WSPA-TV, Northland Cable, WLOS-TV, WCAB-AM)

Job Outlook

Above average outlook for jobs. Entry positions in technical support and sales available. Technician position available with experience may need to start low and work up within organization and within the industry.

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

(AAS - 2 -year), (Diploma - 1 year), (*Certificate)

$17,098 - Average entry level salary

(High, $34,442; Low, $14,782)

Places of Employment

Graduates are prepared for employment opportunities in government agencies, financial institutions, and large to small business or industry.

Job Outlook

Employment with a degree in Business Administration looks promising with North Carolina's healthy, expanding economy. Career opportunities with this degree vary. For example, jobs available to business administration graduates are bank teller, bookkeeper, manager trainee, salesperson, administrative assistant and supply clerk.

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

$12,000 - Average entry level salary

Places of Employment

Nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, social service agencies.

Job Outlook

The demand is above average. These positions help care for the personal needs of sick and injured people and assisting nurse with maintenance.

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING

(AAS - 2- year), (*Certificate)

$24,460 - Average entry level salary

(High, $48,776; Low, $20,176)

Places of Employment

Graduates should qualify for employment in business, industry, and government organizations as programmers, programmer trainees, programmer/analysts, software developers, computer operators, systems technicians, database specialists, computer specialists, software specialists, or information systems managers.

Job Outlook

The job outlook is above average with expected growth in this field.

COSMETOLOGY

(AAS) (2-year), (Diploma) (1-year), (*Certificate)

$20,000 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $25,000; Low, $18,000)

Places of Employment

Self-employment, Beauty Shops, Esthetics, Manicure

(Impressions By Phyllis, Hair Designers, Hair Palace, JC Penney Salon, Chalet Styling Salon)

Job Outlook

The job market is above average for hairdressers and cosmetologists. This job includes work with hair and often manicures, facials, and advice on make-up and hair pieces.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE TECHNOLOGY

(AAS) (2-year), (Diploma) (1-year), (*Certificate)

$21,840 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $26,000; Low, $19,000)

Places of Employment

City Law Enforcement Agencies, Departments of Corrections County Law Enforcement Agencies, Highway Patrol Security Companies, Departments of Social Services, Departments of Parks and Recreation

(State of North Carolina, Marion Police, Polk County Sheriff, Forest City Police, Department of Corrections, Rutherford Sheriff Department, Lake Lure Police, Rutherfordton Police, Spindale Police)

Job Outlook

Employment in this field is expected to be plentiful through the year 2000. To get law enforcement jobs, graduates must be of good character and must be able to pass a background check.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATE

(AAS) (2-year), (Diploma) (1-year), (*Certificate)

$15,000 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $25,000; Low, $10,400)

Places of Employment

Residential Child Care (in child’s home), Social or Welfare Agencies, Church Child Care Centers, Self-employment (in own home), Schools, Independent Child Care Centers, Hospitals, County/State Agencies, Employer-sponsored Daycare Centers, Private Consulting

(Little Red School, Bright Beginnings, Little Adventures Child Care, Kids First Childcare Development Center, Country Bear Day School)

Job Outlook

Employment of child care workers is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2000. This number is due primarily from the growth of preschool age children with working parents.

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY

(AAS) (2-year), (Diploma) (1-year), (*Certificate)

$18,780 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $23,000; Low, $14,560)

Places of Employment

Electrical Contractors, Construction Companies, Manufacturing Firms (Cone Mills, Mastercraft, KCH Services Inc., Town of Forest City, All American Homes, Timken Bearing, Padgett & Price Electric Service)

Job Outlook

Employment in the electrical field is expected to increase faster than average for all occupations through the year 2000. As the population and the economy grow, more electricians will be needed to maintain industrial electrical systems and to install systems in residential and commercial buildings.

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

AAS) (2-year)

$27,560 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $30,000; Low, $20,800)

Places of Employment

Nuclear and Fossil Fuel Power Plants, Construction Companies, Oil Exploration Companies, Chemical Companies, Textile Industries, Tobacco Companies, Other Manufacturing Firms (Michelin/Tire, PPG, Mastercraft, Torrington, Cone Mills)

Job Outlook

Jobs in this field are expected to increase about average for all occupations through the year 2000. The majority of work in this field is found in chemical processing plants and nuclear and fossil fuel power plants. For best results in finding instrumentation openings, graduates may need to consider job openings outside the local area.

FOOTHILLS ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING

(AAS) (2-year)

$31,200 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $36,000; Low, $26,312)

Places of Employment

Doctors’ Offices, Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities, Government Agencies, Emergency Medical Centers, Industries, Private Duty Nursing, Home Health Care Agencies (Rutherford Hospital, Spartanburg Regional Hospital, Cleveland Regional Hospital, Grace Hospital, Hospice)

Job Outlook

Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2000. R.N.’s are especially needed in rural areas, in some big city hospitals, and specialist areas, such as intensive care, medical-surgical nursing, rehabilitation, geriatrics, and long-term care.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

(AAS) (2-year), (*Certificate)

$23,080 - Average entry level salary

(High, $37,540; Low, $20,500)

Places of Employment

Graduates should qualify for a wide variety of computer-related, entry level positions that provide opportunities for advancement with increasing experience and ongoing training. Duties may include systems maintenance and troubleshooting, support and training, and business applications design and implementation.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for information systems graduates is above average.

MACHINING TECHNOLOGY

(Diploma) (1-year), (*Certificate)

$18,000 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $ 25,000; Low, $14,560)

Places of Employment

Machine Shops, Chemical Companies, Textile Industries, Railroads, Metal-Related Manufacturing Firms, Food Processing Industries, Federal Government, Research and Development Companies

(Curtiss-Wright Flight System, Torrington, A&E Plastics, Cone Mills, AFA)

Job Outlook

Employment for machinists is expected to increase about average for all occupations through the year 2005. With the rise of population and income, the demand for machine parts such as those found in autos, household appliances, and industrial products will increase. However, when demand declines, production machinists may be laid off or forced to work a reduced work load. For this reason, machinists’ jobs involved in plant maintenance are often more stable during downturns in the economy.

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

(AAS) (2-year)

$22,000 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $25,000; Low, $18,000)

Places of Employment

Manufacturing of all types, fabrics, metal, plastics, wood.

(Torrington, United Southern, Reeves International, AFA, Parker Hannifin)

MARKETING AND RETAILING

(AAA) (2-year)

(High, $33,558; Low, $16,400)

Places of Employment

Graduates should qualify for marketing positions within manufacturing, retailing, and service organizations.

Job Outlook

Job openings in the Marketing and Retail field are expected to offer above average opportunities through the year 2000.

MECHANICAL DRAFTING TECHNOLOGY

(AAS) (2-year)

$20,800 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $25,400; Low, $15,080)

Places of Employment

Consulting Engineering Firms, Shipbuilding Companies, Arch-itectural Firms, Construction Related Industries, Manufacturing Firms, State and Federal Government Agencies, Schools, Nuclear and Fossil Fuel Power Plants

(All American Homes, Park Hannifin, Reeves International, Intro Corp., Odom and Associates)

Job Outlook

With the expected growth in new and expanding industries in North Carolina, jobs in the drafting field should be average through the year 2000. Also, a background in drafting can lead to positions in quality control, cost estimating and other related areas.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

AAS) (2-year)

$20,800 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $25,400; Low, $15,080)

Places of Employment

Industrial Machinery, Electronic and Communication Equipment Companies, Engineering Firms

(Parker Hannifin, Green Creek Machine Shop, Sunray, NUCOR, Torrington, A&E Plastics)

Job Outlook

Employment outlook expects to be average for engineering technicians. Hiring is good, where there is steady growth in manufacturing.

MEDICAL OFFICE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

(AAS) (2-year), (*Certificate)

$17,909 - Average entry level salary

(High, $23,700; Low, $15,500)

Places of Employment

Employment opportunities include the offices of allied health facilities, HMO's, insurance claims processors, laboratories, and manufacturers and suppliers of medical and hospital equipment.

Job Outlook

Employment in the medical office field is expected to grow better than average for all occupations through 2000. The growth in health care brings demand for jobs in the medical field.

NETWORKING ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT

(AAS) (2-year), (*Certificate)

$23,260 - Average entry level salary

(High, $38,650; Low, $20,750)

Places of Employment

Graduates should qualify for positions such as: LAN/PC administrator, microcomputer support specialist, network control operator, communications technician/analyst, network/computer consultant, and information systems specialist. Graduates should be prepared to sit for certification exams which can result in industry recognized credentials.

Job Outlook

Jobs are expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2000. As more computers are used, the greater the demand for occupations in the field.

OFFICE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

(AAS) (2 -year), (Diploma) (1-year), (*Certificate)

$18,760 - Average entry level salary

(High, $24,050; Low, $15,309)

Places of Employment

Graduates should qualify for employment in a variety of positions in business, government, and industry. Job classifications range from entry-level to supervisor to middle management.

Job Outlook

Jobs in this field are expected to grow faster than average for all

occupations through the year 2000. Job prospects are excellent for administrative office personnel with computer related skills.

Organizational skills, good judgment and initiative are a must for this type of work.

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

(AAS) (2-year), (Diploma) (1-year), (*Certificate)

(High, $34,466; Low, $16,350)

Places of Employment

Graduates should qualify for leadership positions or enhance their

professional skills in supervision, team leadership, operations

planning, quality assurance, manufacturing and service management, logistics and distribution, health and safety, human resources management, and inventory materials manager.

Job Outlook

Employment outlook expects to be above average for graduates in this field.

PLASTICS MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

(AAS) (2-year)

(High, $17,785; Low, $13,850)

Places of Employment

Plastics Product Manufacturers, Injection Molders

(United Southern, Watts Regulator, Molding Dynamics, AFA, Carlisle)

Job Outlook

Employment opportunities are very optimistic. Need for mold technicians is high. Knowledge of materials, processes, molds and trouble shooting essential.

PRACTICAL NURSING

(Diploma) (1-year)

$21,320 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $25,000; Low, $15,900)

Places of Employment

Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Schools, Doctors’ Offices, Health Maintenance Organizations, Patients or their Families, Freestanding Emergency Centers, Home Health Agencies

(St. Luke's Hospital, Rutherford Hospital, Woodlands, Fair Haven, White Oaks Manor, Grace Hospital)

Job Outlook

Employment of licensed practical nurses is expected to increase faster than average for all occupations through the year 2000. This response is due to the health care needs of a growing and aging population. As a result, almost half of all new LPN jobs will be in the hospital sector. Also, job prospects will especially be good in nursing homes, home health, and private duty nursing.

REAL ESTATE

(*Certificate)

$25,000 - Average entry level salary

(High, $50,060; Low, $18,470)

Places of Employment

Graduates should qualify for North Carolina Real Estate Sales and/or Broker examinations. They should be able to enter apprenticeship training and to provide real estate services to consumers in a competent manner.

Job Outlook

Employment in real estate sales is expected to grow about average for all occupations through the year 2000.

TEACHER ASSOCIATE

(AAS) (2-year)

$13,520 Average entry-level salary

(High, $18,000; Low, $10,000)

Places of Employment

Public Schools, Private School, Daycare, Preschools

(Grace Christian Pre-school, Polk County Schools, Rutherford County Schools, Country Bear Day School)

Job Outlook

Employment opportunities will be steady to strong. Public school emphasis on achievement will increase need for qualified support personnel. Public school enrollment is increasing.

TRUCK DRIVING TRAINING

(*Certificate)

$19,500 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $28,000; Low, $16,000)

Places of Employment

Trucking and Courier Service Companies, Trucking and Warehouse Businesses

Job Outlook

Employment of heavy truck drivers in high demand. Each year 300,000-500,000 drivers are needed nationwide.

WELDING TECHNOLOGY

(AAS) (2-year), (Diploma) (1-year),

(*Certificate)

$22,000 - Average entry-level salary

(High, $28,000; Low, $16,000)

Places of Employment

Welding Job Shops, Construction Companies, Manufacturing Firms

(Elliott International Machine Corp., Timkin, ABB Engineering, Flour Daniel, C.F. Reece, A&E Plastics, National Textiles)

Job Outlook

Employment of welders is expected to increase about average for all occupations through the year 2000. Demand for buildings, heavy machinery, and various products that welders help make will be stimulated by increases in population and income. However, economic downturns can lead to layoffs for welders and flame-cutters. For this reason, students may need to be willing to move from place to place - especially for construction-related welding jobs. Another point for students to remember in looking for work is that welding skills are applicable in many occupations.

Changing Demands

In North Carolina, as nationally, there will be an increased demand for skilled workers and workers who have completed education beyond the high school level. Between 1992 and 2005, jobs requiring education after high school will grow faster than those requiring only high school.

Learn More to Earn More

Most jobs of tomorrow will require some kind of post-secondary education or skills training for entry, and additional training throughout your working life. Trends also suggest a connection between your level of education and your earning power.

We are pleased to offer this information regarding educational offerings at Isothermal Community College and the possible career opportunities that await you upon completion of your degree.

We invite you to talk to our career counselors about the path you may want to take in life.

At Isothermal Community College, we are committed to helping you Improve Life Through Learning. For more information, please contact the Isothermal Community College Career Counseling Center, 828-286-3636, ext. 266.