North San Diego County native Bryan Taggart took a less traditional route in his pursuit of higher education.
After completing high school, like many of his peers, Taggart went away to college, graduating from the University of California Santa Cruz with a bachelor's degree in marine biology.
But when he moved back to San Diego, he found the job opportunities in the field were limited. After searching for some time, Taggart learned there were plenty of job openings in the biotechnology industry and decided to enroll in MiraCosta College's Biotechnology Program.
Initially, Taggart only intended to take one or two classes, but after one year he had taken every biotechnology class offered. He earned certificates in laboratory skills, bioprocess technology, and research and development, and then secured a job as a laboratory technician/operations intern at Stemgent, a biotechnology company located in San Diego. After one year and a lot of hard work, Taggart was promoted to research associate.
"In my current position, I work with stem cell cultures, do quality control and perform research," he said. "MiraCosta College prepared me very well for my job. Even before I started working at Stemgent, I knew how to operate all of the equipment that I work with in the laboratory every day."
Biotechnology is one of more than 60 areas of study offered at MiraCosta College that prepares students for lucrative, local jobs and a lifetime of higher earnings.
An economic impact report prepared by EMSI, a leading provider of socioeconomic impact and strategic planning tools to community colleges, found that students enjoy an attractive 16.9 percent rate of return on their MiraCosta College educational investment.
Over the course of a working career, the average MiraCosta College student will earn $562,800 more than someone with only a high school diploma.
Not only do students benefit from their MiraCosta College educational investment, taxpayers and the regional economy do as well.
For every dollar appropriated by state and local governments to MiraCosta College, taxpayers see a return in the form of higher tax revenues and avoided social costs. The net added income generated by MiraCosta College operations and the spending of students contributes a total of $65.1 million in income to the college service area economy each year.
MiraCosta College's impact reaches across the state as well.
Once MiraCosta College current students become active in the workforce, they will promote business output, raise consumer spending and increase property income. Altogether, higher student income, associated effects on business productivity, and social savings add $77 million to the state economy each year.
"The results of this study demonstrate that MiraCosta College is a sound investment from multiple perspectives," said MiraCosta College Vice President, Business and Administrative Services Jim Austin. "The college enriches the lives of students and increases their lifetime incomes. It benefits taxpayers by generating increased tax revenues from an enlarged economy and reducing the demand for taxpayer-supported social services. Finally, it contributes to the vitality of both the local and state economies."
After completing high school, like many of his peers, Taggart went away to college, graduating from the University of California Santa Cruz with a bachelor's degree in marine biology.
But when he moved back to San Diego, he found the job opportunities in the field were limited. After searching for some time, Taggart learned there were plenty of job openings in the biotechnology industry and decided to enroll in MiraCosta College's Biotechnology Program.
Initially, Taggart only intended to take one or two classes, but after one year he had taken every biotechnology class offered. He earned certificates in laboratory skills, bioprocess technology, and research and development, and then secured a job as a laboratory technician/operations intern at Stemgent, a biotechnology company located in San Diego. After one year and a lot of hard work, Taggart was promoted to research associate.
"In my current position, I work with stem cell cultures, do quality control and perform research," he said. "MiraCosta College prepared me very well for my job. Even before I started working at Stemgent, I knew how to operate all of the equipment that I work with in the laboratory every day."
Biotechnology is one of more than 60 areas of study offered at MiraCosta College that prepares students for lucrative, local jobs and a lifetime of higher earnings.
An economic impact report prepared by EMSI, a leading provider of socioeconomic impact and strategic planning tools to community colleges, found that students enjoy an attractive 16.9 percent rate of return on their MiraCosta College educational investment.
Over the course of a working career, the average MiraCosta College student will earn $562,800 more than someone with only a high school diploma.
Not only do students benefit from their MiraCosta College educational investment, taxpayers and the regional economy do as well.
For every dollar appropriated by state and local governments to MiraCosta College, taxpayers see a return in the form of higher tax revenues and avoided social costs. The net added income generated by MiraCosta College operations and the spending of students contributes a total of $65.1 million in income to the college service area economy each year.
MiraCosta College's impact reaches across the state as well.
Once MiraCosta College current students become active in the workforce, they will promote business output, raise consumer spending and increase property income. Altogether, higher student income, associated effects on business productivity, and social savings add $77 million to the state economy each year.
"The results of this study demonstrate that MiraCosta College is a sound investment from multiple perspectives," said MiraCosta College Vice President, Business and Administrative Services Jim Austin. "The college enriches the lives of students and increases their lifetime incomes. It benefits taxpayers by generating increased tax revenues from an enlarged economy and reducing the demand for taxpayer-supported social services. Finally, it contributes to the vitality of both the local and state economies."