Community college is an excellent way to get the credentials you need to move up in the working world without spending a ton of money in the process. But before you graduate, you should already be anticipating your next move. Finding a job isn’t as easy as it once was, which means that preparation can be the difference between getting a job right off the bat and suffering through months of unemployment. The world is a scary place, even for those with college qualifications, but hopefully this list of helpful links will make it easier to adjust.

Whether you’re looking for a college that already has ties to the business world, or need assurance that your lack of job prospects isn’t proof of failure, you’re sure to find the support and advice you need on this list. There’s also a number of resources for helping you get through the strenuous job hunt without losing your mind, so be sure to read through all of these links before you give up on the process.

  1. Spotlight of some of the best business and community college partnerships. Recognizes the unique role of community colleges as a means of training students specifically for professional careers.
  2. Life After Community College: Start Making Plans Now highlights the importance of course and career planning in community colleges. Focuses on how students can use college advisors as resources to help with the planning process.
  3. Taking Risks after Community College is a student’s account of how community college does not hinder one’s ability to explore the world. Taking risks despite budget problems might turn out for the better, the author recounts.
  4. A look at how Former mill workers are ready for new careers as they go back to community college. Looks at how the Trade Adjustment Assistance fund has helped many workers change careers due to the changing economic landscape.
  5. New York Times Blog article viewing Community College as a Bridge to New Skills. Community colleges are great ways to learn relevant skills at a much lower cost than traditional four-year programs.
  6. Displaced worker gains confidence, career provides an overview of the Workforce Investment Act, which allows displaced workers to go back to community college to gain skills needed to work in today’s economy. Recounts an employee’s transition from working in a production factory to a medical administration job.
  7. Erie Community College is an example of a community college that provides superior job placement opportunities, current academic programs, and attentive counseling. Highlights include high transfer rates to four-year programs and low tuition rates.
  8. Finding a Job after College is one of the most important aspects of the graduation process. A look at how community colleges are providing networking and counseling opportunities today.
  9. Given the dismal job market, the Toughest test after graduation is Getting a job. A look at the financial and emotional effects of unemployment for recent graduates.
  10. Despite efforts to gain new skills through community college, Laid-off workers retrain but end up in same spot: Jobless. New training doesn’t produce jobs.
  11. Why education and employment go hand in hand looks at the difficulties of getting access to community college despite lower fees. Gives an overview of the dismal job market today.
  12. Overview of the successes that Working in Partnership with Business, Labor, and the Community has had on improving job placements. Describes how partnerships between community colleges and employers can be utilized to the biggest advantage.
  13. When You Can’t Find A Job offers tips on job searching in a touch job market. Promotes students taking the time to find their true desires instead of settling for a sub-par career path.
  14. Pathways to Prosperity is a comprehensive study of the current state of education. Includes statistics of graduation rates and job placement rates.
  15. Secretary Duncan’s Remarks on Career and Technical Education in relation to the Pathways to Prosperity study conducted by the Harvard Graduate School. Calls to focus several problems with current technical and community colleges.
  16. Earn a High Paying Career Without a Four Year Degree gives an overview of lucrative career options for community college graduates. Highlights four of the top paying careers for community college graduates.
  17. Community College Presidents For Entrepreneurship is an organization which aims to incentivize students to become entrepreneurs. Highlights many ways for community college graduates to become entrepreneurs such as contracting jobs, freelancing, or starting their own businesses.
  18. A look at how Community Colleges are Fueling Science Workforce. Emphasizes the technical skills that community colleges impart upon its students
  19. Balancing Career And Home Life Takes Planning is an issue which many community college students face. Takes a look at how planning at different points of a student’s life will affect career options.
  20. A description of Nine High-Paying Jobs You Can Get with an Associate’s Degree. Includes links to salary information and job boards.
  21. A blog post revealing that Job Prospects are Uncertain for New College Graduates. Employment opportunities for college graduates have declined in recent years due to the financial downturn.
  22. Community College for Career Changers takes a look at how the Obama administration’s announcement for a multi-billion dollar fund for community college programs will affect community college students. Provides a rosy outlook for professionals looking to go back to school to gain new skills relevant to today’s job force.
  23. An article describing how Community College Training Can Boost Worker Pay, even compared to some four-year degrees. Focuses on health and science related community college degrees in comparison to traditional programs.
  24. The Job Market for Two-Year School Graduates gives advice on maximizing your chances of finding a job upon graduation. Emphasizes flexibility and willingness to network as two main factors in the job search process.
  25. The Community-College Job Search looks at the divide between traditional, four-year programs and two-year community colleges. Advocates for the legitimacy of tenured teaching positions at community colleges as a career choice for graduates.