Parkland College is often regarded as one of the best community colleges in Illinois, not only for its low cost and quality education but also for the many incredible resources and services it offers to its students. Parkland College provides a large variety of resources like career counseling, mental health services and programs that help students lower their tuition. Whether you are a new student looking for more information about Parkland or an older student who has simply been unaware of these opportunities, here are some of the most valuable resources Parkland offers to its students.
Student Employment
One of the most valuable resources Parkland offers to its students is its student employment program. Through this program, students are able to apply for student worker positions in Parkland’s advising office, bookstore, student life, admissions office and more. Becoming a student worker at Parkland is not only an incredible opportunity to gain some work experience in a supportive and flexible work environment but is also a great opportunity to make valuable connections with the Parkland staff and become more active in the community. Parkland student workers are allowed to work a maximum of 19 hours a week during the fall, spring, and summer semesters and are paid around $13 an hour. To qualify for a student worker position, a student must maintain at least six credit hours during the spring and fall semesters and at least three credit hours in the summer semester. Student workers are also required to have a minimum GPA of 2.0 as well as a high school diploma or GED. Some student worker positions are limited to students who qualify for Federal Work-Study, which is a financial aid program awarded to students based on their financial aid application. However, there are still many student worker positions available that do not have the FWS pre-requisite.
Visit Student Employment for more information on student employment requirements, Federal Work-Study, and where to apply.
Free Counseling
No matter how self-sufficient or well-adjusted a person is, everyone has something they could/need to talk about. Therapeutic counseling sessions are an incredibly valuable resource for everyone, even for people who haven’t experienced an intense traumatic event or don’t have any severe mental health issues. This is especially true for young college students dealing with school stress, family issues, and growing pains.
Unfortunately, mental health services are expensive and are not always affordable for the people who need them the most. Luckily, Parkland’s counseling support center provides all students enrolled at Parkland with free access to confidential counseling sessions. Whether a student is struggling with severe mental health issues, a previous traumatic event, family struggles, or is simply feeling overwhelmed, Parkland’s counseling services are available to offer them support.
The counseling support center employs multiple experienced and qualified counselors who provide therapeutic counseling, including one-on-one sessions or group therapy. Students are able to attend these counseling sessions in person at Parkland or remotely through Microsoft Teams. Parkland’s counseling services are able to help students work through their struggles, as well as assist them in developing important life skills such as healthy communication and effective coping mechanisms that will benefit them long after they graduate. Whether a student attends counseling long term or only goes to a handful of sessions, free access to therapeutic counseling is something every student should take advantage of.
To sign up for counseling services at Parkland visit room U238 in the student union and fill out a short intake form. Students are also able to fill out the intake form online at Counseling Services.
Study Abroad Program
Parkland’s study abroad program provides students the chance to travel and study at a university in the country of their choice at a much lower cost compared to other study abroad programs offered by universities and colleges around the area. The program provides students with the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a foreign culture while working towards their degree. With that unique opportunity also comes the relationships built with other students, foreign or American, when experiencing, learning and growing while studying abroad.
Students are able to apply to study abroad during the fall, spring, or summer, either for one month or for a full semester. The program has offered study-abroad opportunities in countries like France, Italy, Japan, England, Ireland, Costa Rica, Austria and more. While studying abroad, students will live with a host family, in their home, or in a dorm on campus, depending on what is offered by the specific program they choose. During their time abroad students are required to take classes at a foreign university partnered with the program. As mentioned previously, the class credits that students earn during their classes abroad are fully recognized and accepted by Parkland College. The study abroad program is not only a great chance for personal growth and memorable experiences but is also something eye-catching to put on a college transfer application or a job resume that will make you stand out.
Learn more about the program in the Prospectus’ recent article Parkland Study Abroad Program Opens Doors for Students. You can also visit Study Abroad for more information on future study abroad opportunities and how to apply.
The Pathway Program
Many community college students choose to transfer to a four-year university to finish their undergraduate studies and, therefore, get their bachelor’s degree. Parkland knows this pipeline very well, and through its Pathway Program, it has been helping students achieve their goals.
Being a community college, Parkland costs around half the tuition of a four-year university while still providing quality education. Going to Parkland for the first two years allows students to save money while still being able to graduate with a degree from the four-year university they transferred to. A common school for Parkland students to transfer to is the University of Illinois. Being globally recognized and only fifteen minutes away from Parkland College, it is practically impossible for any student looking to transfer to a four-year university not to consider the UIUC. However, in-state tuition at the University of Illinois (excluding books, housing, and other expenses) usually costs from $17,000 to $22,000 per year, making the UIUC much less appealing from a financial point of view.
Luckily, Parkland and the University of Illinois have partnered together to offer a dual enrollment program between both schools through the Pathway Program. The Pathway Program allows students who have been accepted to the University of Illinois to attend classes at both schools during their first two years while only paying the price of Parkland’s tuition. As a part of this program, students are considered full-time Parkland students who simultaneously have access to resources and classes offered to students at the University of Illinois before their transfer. After their first two years at Parkland, Pathway students are able to easily transfer and complete their degree at the University of Illinois. Through this program, students have access to the same experiences as regular students at the University of Illinois without the burden of a full four-year tuition. This program is an excellent opportunity for students who want to transfer to the University of Illinois after Parkland while still having access to all the same resources for a reduced price.
More information about the Pathway Program, how to qualify, and where to apply is available at Parkland Pathway.
The Prospectus
Possibly one of the most exciting and beneficial resources offered at Parkland is its student newspaper, the Prospectus. Students have the opportunity to apply to join the Prospectus staff as an editor, reporter, photographer, web designer/digital editor, or social media manager. Becoming a part of the Prospectus not only serves as an opportunity for students to gain experience in the field of journalism and form relationships with other students but also notably awards each member of the staff with a scholarship that cuts their total Parkland tuition in half. As a part of the Prospectus, students are required to turn in at least two articles every month. This serves as a great opportunity for students who have an interest in journalism, writing, and photography who are looking for ways to lower the cost of their tuition.
If you’re interested in joining the Prospectus staff, visit Prospectus for more information on how to apply. Or visit The Prospectus for more articles like this.
