SUNY Corning Community College: A Pathway to Success

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By Jeff Macharyas, Director of Marketing, SUNY Corning Community College

“Community colleges are our most powerful engine of prosperity,” first lady (and community college professor) Jill Biden said in a February USA Today article.

Dr. Biden is right — starting an educational journey at a community college can lead to a bright and prosperous future for those who embark upon it.

Community college is a great way to start or return to college — and in many ways, better than jumping right into a four-year school. Why? Community college offers students a fast start right into post-secondary education. There’s a lot to get accomplished in that short time and it can be challenging. But, it does prepare students for the workforce — and for life. Community colleges are affordable and convenient. Financial aid, grants and scholarships are widely available and prospective students are encouraged to research and seek out every opportunity. The financial aid office at the college is a good place to start.

Being in “the community,” students have the flexibility to work and study around their own schedules. It doesn’t matter if high school is a recent memory, or you’ve been in the workforce for years, community colleges are right here in your community to help you meet your full potential and prepare you for your next great career and for life.

In a 2015 AOL.com interview, Biden said, “Because of the flexibility that community colleges afford, many students do not have

to choose between an education and fulfilling other responsibilities — they can do both.”

SUNY Corning Community College, offer many pathways, such as health care, engineering, business, computer sciences and more.

Community College offers students a fast start right into post-secondary education as well as flexibility and affordability. (Faith Rodriguez, photo by Jeff Macharyas)

Community Colleges offer many programs including health care, engineering and business. Students many take classes in person, online, or both. (Madison Cunningham, by Jeff Macharyas)

Consider, for example, engineering. You can get started at community college, earn certificates, transfer, head to graduate school and enter very high-paying and in-demand fields.

Principles of Selling – It’s Not Just for Salespeople

Taking a class or program degree in just about any subject can prepare you for opportunities in many fields you may not have even considered. Selling is a good example.

SUNY Corning Community College is offering Principles of Selling (MKTG 2058) this Fall, fully online.

Denis Sweeney is a Marketing and Public Relations Consultant and has been an instructor at SUNY CCC for 14 years and will be leading Principles of Selling, starting this Fall.

“This course is not just for business students, but for everyone, because everyone is a ‘salesperson,’” Sweeney explains.

“Consider your job search. You have to be marketable to hiring managers. You have to “sell” yourself, in effect. Or, say, you are pitching an idea at your job. Your director isn’t convinced your idea has merit, so you have to “sell” that idea, overcome objections and create the value proposition that will get the results you want. That’s selling!” Sweeney adds.

Building Relationships

Selling is more than pushing products onto customers, it’s about relationship-building. Building relationships takes time, but it is a crucial component of the sales process. You can learn and use these techniques when you are “selling” in your job search, your career or anytime you want to convince a “buyer” that your “product” is necessary.

“Use sales tactics with your kids, with sports teammates and coaches and apply these techniques to a broad spectrum of subjects,” Sweeney concludes.

Community colleges offer first-rate education and hands-on learning. Courses often involve actual work in labs and may include workforce partnerships with industries in the community. At community college, you’ll focus on learning, not just “going to college.”

Live & Learn Right on the Campus of SUNY CCC

SUNY CCC offers plenty of clubs, activities, theater, music, recreation, trips and sports. Community colleges may offer greater opportunity to stand-out athletes because they won’t have to compete with juniors and seniors for parts or positions.

Not all community colleges offer on-site housing, but SUNY CCC does. Living & learning on campus in Perry Hall is convenient, with all the college has to offer only steps away, including opportunities to meet new and diverse people from different cultures and different areas. Even if your home is close to the college, choosing on-campus housing gives

Students may choose to live at home, in an off-campus apartment or in residence halls. (CCC)

them the opportunity to live independently and explore the world away from home — and still be close enough to visit family and friends when they want. On-campus living is safe, convenient and fun. Pennsylvania residents can live & learn on campus as well. Through the Keystone Scholarship, our friends in the Northern Tier can attend SUNY CCC at affordable NYS rates.

Get Started Soon

Students can enroll at just about any time of the year. There are options for on-site, online and hybrid classes. The fall semester at SUNY Corning Community College begins Aug. 16, and late-start classes in early September. Contact the admissions office at 607-962-9151 to find out when you can enroll in the program you choose, whether it’s cybersecurity, health sciences, engineering, welding, sustainability or anything else.

“Community colleges are fundamental to the success of American workforce training. We are able to be agile because we are closely connected to our local community needs,” Laura H. Clark, SHRM-CP, Director of Workforce Education, CCC.

Check out SUNY Corning Community College. You’ll be surprised by what you’ll learn. To find out more, visit corning-cc.edu or call 607-962-9151. Click to Learn More: