Is it bad to go to a community college the second year?

[jagsfan05]

I am having major problems deciding where to go for my sophomore year of college. My first year, I went to a local community college here and I don't know exactly what I want to do. I have heard from many people that it is understandable and acceptable to go to a community college your first year, but your second would be more like a bad choice. If I don't go back to it, I am going to go to a private university in east Tennessee based off my religion (I am for sure going there my last 2 years, if not this fall).

My girlfriend is here, and she is going to go to this community college that I went to because she made a 26 on her ACT and they are paying for her whole first year. I am really going to miss her if I leave, and that's pretty much the reason I don't want to go yet. So is it bad if I go back for one more year? Will I miss out on all the opportunities others are getting and be left in the dark with not as much education? I can't decide and I only have 1 month left!

I don't know what I want to major in yet but the things that interest me are Business Administration, Something involving sports because I love sports like Sports Med, Physical Therapy, or something involving communications because recently I took a career test and the results came out like this for me:

My highest was in personal service, then clerical work, then teaching/social service, then writing, then sales, then food service, then health service.

In the three categories of whether I am more assertive, persuasive, or systematic it said I was highest in systematic, then persuasive then assertive.

[EricT]

The good thing about a community college in my experience is that most instructors are there because they really want to teach. Not because they want to do research, publish, and get tenure, which is the purpose of most universities. So as far as learning something, there is no reason to believe you won't learn a lot at a community college. Probably the biggest thing to consider is transferability of credits. If you get an associates from a community college and then go on to a 4-year to get a bachelors..well, it's still the same bachelors. It's not like they give you a different color diploma

[jagsfan05]

Oh yeah, I know. I just want to make sure I won't be as good off as I would be if I went to that university for the next 3 years. I just don't want to be left in the dust.

[armygirl]

Yeah one thing I've learned is what Eric said... the diploma is the same color. Lot's of people say that if you've graduated from some big top university that everyone knows about, than you're more likely to get hired somewhere. That's not always true. As long as the college is accredible, than you're good to go. That was one thing that I was really worried about when I first joined the military. Being that I move around so much, I never really knew where I was going to end up graduating from. Just make sure that the next college you plan to go to accepts the credits you are taking at the community college now. Don't make plans around your girl though. If you have something that you want to accomplish, don't base it on anything else but yourself. If I would have stuck around because of the boyfriend I had for 4 years in highschool, I never would have the career or husband I have right now. It was hard to leave, but think of it this way, if him and I were meant to be than it'll happen later. Accomplish YOUR goals for now.

[EricT]

Armygirl, I don't know if your are career Army or not but if you get out I think you'll be surprised at how far your military credentials take you in job hunting. I've beaten out people for jobs lots of times with more education than myself simply based on military experience. People are very gung-ho to hire ex military...and for good reason! Put some education on top of that and you have a big edge.

[armygirl]

Actually Eric, I just decided recently to stick with it the whole 20 yrs. I've been in almost 8 and by the time my next reenlistment comes up I'll be at 12. So I may as well just finish it out. As for the education, oh believe me, I'm trying my butt off. I wasn't able to go to school for a whole 2 years at one point because of a deployment to Iraq, so I'm doing my best to catch up. The problem is, if I were to get out now, I'd have not benefits. Right now I get 100% coverage on health, dental, and vision. I get a free house to live in and don't have to worry about anything except for the phone and cable bill. I've got it too good right now to get out. So don't worry, I won't be taking your job anytime soon

[jagsfan05]

Anyone else have any opinions or know another real active messageboard where I can post this and get lots of replies?

[EricT]

More opinions isn't always better, jags. Unless your just waiting for one that fits what you want to do in your heart...in which case you should take Armygirls advice.

Armygirl I was never able to get any college done while in the Air Force. Everytime I turned around I was shipping out again, so I know exactly what you mean. Congrats on your decision. Sounds like your smarter than I was. I high tailed it out of the service to a new city with 5 bucks in my pocket. Don't ask me what I did with all that per diem pay!