Jul 19 2009
Back to School or Back to Work?
Currently, a lot of schools are reaching out to the community for continuing education, but is it even worth it?
Continuing education (CE) can save money - With the growing amount of online schools, the fight for your money is on. Shopping around for a school that suits your needs is the best way to start, but also shop around for the price that suits your budget, don’t stop because one school looks prettier than another or one school sounds more legit than another (you can check their accreditation if you’re suspicious about their ability to deliver a good education). I’ve found schools willing to teach me, through correspondance, and online tests, the skills needed for interior decorating. The total price for this new school was around $600, this includes my books, the online tests fee and almost all other fees (excluding enrollment fees). Anoter more noteworthy online website promised me the same classes for $300 per credit hour, which means if there are a total of 12 credit hours for the entire course (about 6 classes) I would be paying $3600. Even if that number included books, supplies and so on, the difference is so monumental anyone would choose the $600 dose of education. Most courses, no matter who gives you the degree will yeild the same information, which means the higher cost doesn’t guarantee a richer education. Some programs will have perks, such as strong connections with the job market, inside information which IS difficult to obtain on your own. And some courses include people with a little more fame or unique ability than other schools. Whatever the case is, really look around before you enroll because you will be surprised with the evolution of the online education system.
CE can mean a diploma or a PhD - Many schools these days have an online campus attached for adult or distance study, which will allow people of all generations that earned their high school degree to move toward a higher level of achievement. Some schools only have an online campus, with no existing physical campus, but this does not inhibit them from handing you a worthy degree. Through online schools any student within the age limitations can earn a wide range of degrees, from high school diploma to a doctorate. Online schools are desperate for you to trust them, therefore they have links and information available for you to verify their accreditation. I remember laughing about a certain online school, when I realized that if I had taken a few of their courses myself I could have gotten ahead in the job market. Which leads me to another reason why continuing education is a great idea.
CE can mean a superior job - Tired of sitting in the background watching someone else succeed because they had some training? Stop looking at that other person and start getting ahead already! Start small with a community college or online campus, most of them have payment plans that will allow you to pay as little as $50 (or less) per month for your classes. These classes could be a simple one time thing, increasing your knowledge in computer applications and office skills, or it could be something that allows you to have an Associate’s degree or higher. Whatever you decide, browsing the schools in your area for programs that can add to your job skills will ultimately give you a step above the competition.
CE can mean more respect and an improved self-image - Though people, like myself, chuckled about someone earning an online degree in the past, these days, it’s no laughing matter. Most job markets, unless you’re looking into six-figure jobs, are not concerned about where your degree came from, instead they want to know if it’s from an accredited or unaccredited source. When you receive more education and you actually understand what you’re doing, you’ll feel a great sense of achievement and this will increase your self-confidence. These feelings motivate people to begin studying a subject they have put on the back burner or even secretly enjoyed. The more you learn, the more you feel empowered to speak about the subject and to share your opinion, which result in a new respect from friends and family members. As long as you don’t get carried away, feel free to enjoy the privileges of being educated!
The negative things that could happen.
As long as you keep in mind that you have the ability to succeed in continuing your education, and STILL be stuck in the same dead end job. That’s right, there are so many companies relying on credit reports and other tactics to freeze hiring or skip over you that it may not be worth the struggle. Your higher education will make you worth more money. Why pay you $50,000 when they can get Joe over there to do the same job for $25,000? This is the set back a lot of educated people are facing right now. Another set back you will face is that people who are in the hiring position, may skip over you because you have the skills to take their job.
If you’re already paranoid or overly concerned about your job security then don’t go out on a limb to get a higher education. But, if you’re sick of where you are and can stand to learn a few new things about yourself and a particular hobby, you should try it out, even if it’s just for one or two months.
Keep This In Mind
Don’t leave out technical schools and trade schools! Trade schools and technical schools allow for people to be more hands on when they’re earning their education. These schools have plenty of book work as well and lots of memorization, but it’s not impossible, and there will be plenty of training before you actually are on your own. Plumbers, electricians, chefs, carpenters and so on are really high in demand because living in a home and going out to eat for entertainment are not fads, they are part of human culture. Anything that applies to humans as a whole like exercise, eating, drinking, sleeping, having a home etc, means you’ve found a niche that will not fade away and can provide an excellent career.
A lot of things can happen when you begin a new path in your life. Don’t stop pursuing your dreams or goals because of what could happen, that’s precisely why so many people have given up. Don’t be one of those people, believe in yourself and remember that every path has risks, there’s no way around it. Read the success stories of the famous and you’ll see that they were never sure of the right way to achieve their goals, but they really loved what they were doing. If you love what subject you’re pursuing, then keep going! Doing what you love as a profession is better than doing what you have to just to get by. Everyone was created with a purpose, finding yours will be very refreshing and continuing education can help.
