Opportunities for new and exciting careers abound at Scottsdale Community College (SCC). The College recently launched a variety of new programs and certifications that offer fast and effective paths for jobs in healthcare, financial services, entertainment, and business. With SCC’s affordable tuition, it’s never been easier to upskill or reskill into a new career.
“Not every career requires a four-year degree,” says Melanie Burm, director of External Affairs, Workforce Development & Community Partnerships at SCC. “The certifications and training programs at SCC offer pathways into in-demand jobs for significantly less investment – in time and money – than traditional bachelor’s programs.”
SCC and HonorHealth have collaborated to create a comprehensive Pharmacy Technology training program. Pharmacy technicians are a vital part of the healthcare industry as they process, prepare, and dispense medications, interact with patients and insurance companies, manage inventory, and practice quality control. As a result, pharmacy technicians are in high demand, with job projections expected to increase up to 25% over the next ten years in Arizona, according to O*Net.
At 4.5 credit hours, the Nurse Assisting certification program is an approximately seven-week course (NUR158) that introduces students to the nursing profession. The curriculum includes theory, skill practice in the nursing lab, and clinical experiences in healthcare facilities that prepare students for the Arizona State Board of Nursing exam to become a certified nurse assistant (CNA) or a licensed nurse assistant (LNA). The training focuses on critical thinking, decision-making, communication, and team collaboration while integrating patient care skills.
SCC’s Community Health Worker program improves the health of local communities by building capacity, promoting the population’s long-term health, and reducing associated costs. Community health workers serve as an intermediary between a community and its members. These frontline public health workers know the community they serve; they are acutely aware of their community’s culture and often engage in areas with more challenging health concerns. Community health workers provide expertise to those they serve by navigating, accessing, and advocating within the complex healthcare system. They help address barriers and facilitate connections or referrals to available social support services, including food, housing, education, and mental health, among other needs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, community health worker roles are projected to be a rapidly growing field over the next decade, with a median annual wage of $42,000. The expected 17% growth rate in Arizona is more than double the national average, suggesting this position will be a lucrative entry point into a healthcare career.
The Securities Industries Essentials: Pre-licensure program offers students a path to careers in financial services by preparing them for the Securities Industries Essentials (SIE) exam, which is, in most cases, a requirement for entering the financial sector. Administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), passing the exam establishes that an applicant understands the fundamental principles required to work in financial services.
‘‘I cannot say enough good things about Scottsdale Community College,” says Lee Sera, a graduate of the SIE program who used the course to start a new career after 20 years as a full-time mother. “The teachers there really care about their students. I’ve had great, great instructors.”
The Cannabis Business Fundamentals certificate of completion covers topics including industry history, social equity and trends, product descriptions, career opportunities, economics, marketing, supply chain management, dispensary business planning, funding resources, regulatory environments, and retailing. Upon completion of this certificate, students will have the knowledge to pursue a variety of cannabis business and industry ancillary careers.
With the recent tax credit incentivizing film and television production in Arizona, the Production Assistant Certification program is expected to train more than 2,000 production assistants over the next five years, creating a talented workforce that will keep Arizona talent – and dollars – in the state. These skilled professionals will help support the large production studios that are anticipated to begin filming across Arizona.
So, whether you’re a student ready to begin your career or an established professional looking to explore something new in 2023, there’s something at SCC for you.
Spring semester classes start Jan. 14, 2023, with many late-start courses available. To learn more, visit scottsdalecc.edu/stop-dreading-monday.
This content is sponsored by Scottsdale Community College.
