2024 - Go to school, get a job: 4 in-demand career program options at ECC

Going to college can be a life-changing decision for many, but that doesn’t mean you can’t feel uncertain about your future. When choosing a college degree or program or finishing one, that inevitable yet essential question, “Will I be able to get a job?” looms on us until it lands hard.

At Elgin Community College (ECC), programs of study include more than 30 major fields for university transfer, pre-college courses, corporate and continuing education, and more than 130 career-oriented occupational degrees and certificates.

ECC celebrates its diverse student body. We see you and want to see you succeed after you walk out our doors. Over the past few years, ECC has introduced and expanded multiple programs that are in-demand careers in our local community and beyond. If you’re struggling with that “What do I want to do?” question, take a look at a few of our programs where the field is in dire need of talent like yours.

Truck Driving

The trucking industry is experiencing a shortage of an estimated 70,000 qualified drivers, a number expected to double within the next decade, according to the American Trucking Association.

At ECC, we looked at our current 16-week CDL training program and cut it in half to get qualified drivers on the road faster than ever. I know what you’re thinking – you’re letting people drive a semi-truck legally on the road after only eight weeks? Fear not. ECC’s new 8-week CDL offering provides the same comprehensive instruction, smaller class sizes, and behind-the-wheel training with experienced instructors as the 16-week program. 

Along with adding the option for an 8-week CDL training program, ECC continues to run its 16-week program, in addition to adding one during the day. You have miles ahead of you; if you’re thinking of spending them on the road, you’ll be driving in no time. Visit elgin.edu/truckdriving for more information.

If the trucker life doesn’t spark your interest, maybe consider one of ECC’s newer programs in health care, each of which began solely from regional demand. 

Medical Assisting

ECC’s Medical Assisting Program was launched in the fall of 2022 in response to local health care agencies who alerted the college to the increasing regional demand for these skilled health care professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, by 2030, the market need for medical assistants is expected to increase by 18%.

As a medical assistant, you’ll work directly with patients and physicians by taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications. 

The best part? You can be certified and on the job within a year. ECC’s medical assisting program is only three semesters long in order to obtain your vocational certification and prepare you for the Registered Medical Assistant exam. Check out more at elgin.edu/medicalassisting. 

Ophthalmic Technician

Maybe you’re looking for something a little more…focused? Well, you’re in luck.  ECC’s new ophthalmic technician program may be the perfect fit. .

As an ophthalmic technician, you’ll work with an ophthalmologist to assist them in performing routine eye exams and diagnostic tests. Similar to medical assisting, you’ll be out of the classroom and into the eye doctor's office in no time. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, by 2030, the market need for ophthalmic technicians will increase by 18%. ECC offers a two-year associate of applied science degree program that prepares students through job shadowing, three clinical experiences, and career development help for the Certified Ophthalmic Technician exam. 

Visit elgin.edu/eyetech for more information on this in-demand and exciting career opportunity. 

Respiratory Care

It’s okay to still feel  uncertain and stressed about  “going to school and getting a job,”. Take a few breaths and consider exploring ECC’s new respiratory care therapy program. This in-demand career is expected to increase due to several factors, including an aging population that is more prone to respiratory illnesses. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that respiratory therapist jobs will grow by 14% by 2031.

ECC will launch a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program for respiratory care students in the spring of 2025. If you’re interested in being one of the first respiratory care students at ECC, the deadline to apply is October 15, 2024. Visit elgin.edu/respiratorycare for more information.