AdvantageEDU

The Show Me state is full of great opportunities for new graduates, so it makes a good place in which to start your career. Missouri has lots of strong major industries, including beer and beverages, transportation equipment, defense, and aerospace technology. In order to get a good job in these industries or another one that does well in Missouri, it’s important that you first lay a strong educational foundation. For many students, this educational foundation is developed through a trade school or community college in the state. These schools will allow you to study for your career in industries such as massage therapy, nursing, culinary arts, health care, pharmacy, and hotel and restaurant management in a convenient setting that’s close to home.

Missouri’s trade schools and community colleges are for the most part more affordable than traditional education, however not every student can afford to pay for school out of pocket. If you find that you can’t pay for school out of pocket, it’s important that you don’t let this roadblock get in the way of completing your education and going on to a successful career. Instead, you should investigate financial aid resources that are available to Missouri students. You can learn about financial aid opportunities available to Missouri students through the Missouri Department of Higher Education website. This site offers information about grants, loans, scholarships, and other financial aid programs that will make your education a more affordable reality.

In the past few months, Missouri’s employment levels have experienced a drop, so the job outlook in the state is hurting right now. Of course, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be plenty of opportunities available to you upon graduation. There’s always a good chance that industries will rebound, and that there will be a strong need for new workers by the time you have completed school. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are a few industries that are currently doing well. These include trade, transportation, and utilities, education and health services, and government. If you want a job outlook that you can count on, it would be wise to start a career in one of these industries, such as business administration, nursing, pharmacy, teaching, and health care.

In Missouri, you’ll find an abundance of good schools to choose from. Some of the educational institutions available to you are:

• Crowder College
• Jefferson College
• Blue River Community College
• Longview Community College
• Moberly Area Community College
• Ozarks Technical Community College
• Saint Charles Community College
• Saint Louis Community College
• Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences

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.