AdvantageEDU

Opportunities are strong for new careers in Maryland. It’s easy to find success in some of the state’s most popular major industries, including health care, culinary arts, and water freight. In order to become competitive in these industries and beyond, most people will find that formal education is needed. For some, community colleges and trade schools are the right choice, due to their lowered cost, the ability to concentrate on specific careers, and their local convenience. If you’re considering a career in culinary arts, health care, massage therapy, nursing, or mechanics, a trade school or community college just might offer the education that you need.

Your education will almost undoubtedly prepare you for a better future, in which you will have stronger job opportunities, the change at a higher salary, and better skills with which to approach your career. For these reasons, education that supports your career makes a great investment in your future. Of course, this investment is not affordable for everyone, and some students will need to obtain financial aid in order to make career education an attainable goal. Maryland’s Higher Education Commission has a variety of resources that are available to students in Maryland. These include legislative, career based, and merit based scholarships, as well as need based grants and other programs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that Maryland’s employment market has been experiencing very steady and healthy growth, so you can rest assured with a secure career outlook in the state. There are a handful of industries that are doing particularly well in recent months. These include professional and business services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality, other services, and the government. If you want to take advantage of the growth in these industries, you may want to pursue a career in business administration, health care, culinary arts, and hotel and restaurant management. These industries and careers can be expected to have a stable job outlook in the future.

Maryland’s community college system is full of great choices. Some of the community colleges that are available to choose from include:

• Allegany College of Maryland
• Baltimore City Community College
• Chesapeake College
• College of Southern Maryland
• Community College of Baltimore County
• Hagerstown Community College
• Howard Community College
• Montgomery College
• Prince George’s Community College
• Wor Wic Community College

Top Online Universities

	University of Phoenix - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctoral Degrees. As one of the most widely recognizable universities in the U.S., University of Phoenix offers a wide range of online and on-campus programs for students looking to pursue long-term careers. They strive on quality and regularly update their curriculum to reflect the latest practices used today.
	Kaplan University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Kaplan University offers unique programs for those wanting to change or advance in their career. Their programs present a quicker degree path with the same quality and superiority that other universities promise.
	Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University has been helping students attain the greatest learning opportunities since 1918. They offer various online and on-campus programs for those seeking a career in business, health, education, sociology and more.
	American Intercontinental University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. American Intercontinental University is a top accredited university that is affordable and convenient. They provide high-quality learning opportunities online and on-campus for students with diverse needs.
	Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral Degrees. Liberty University provides students with the most current knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's fast-growing environment. The college is dedicated to empowering students in pursuing their individual career goals.
	Everest University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Everest University provides affordable, flexible, and convenient programs for full-time professionals and first time college students. They provide practical instruction for career-focused individuals to prepare them post-graduation.
	Rasmussen College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. Preparing thousands of students every year for the real world, Rasmussen College is an accredited online university providing top-notch education for their diverse student body. They offer various courses for all degree programs.