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Adult Learners: Upgrading Your Skills

In today's rapidly changing job market, staying competitive means upgrading your skills. But for many adults juggling work, family, and other responsibilities, the idea of going back to school can seem daunting. The good news? There are now more accessible and affordable options than ever before. These learning options are designed with busy adult learners like you in mind.

Let's explore how you can enhance your skills and boost your career prospects without breaking the bank or disrupting your life. First, we'll show you why upgrading your skills matters. Then, we'll show you some pathways to skill development. Finally, we'll show you where AI fits in because it's transforming the workplace.

Part I: Why Skill Upgrading Matters

The job market is evolving faster than ever. Technologies that didn't exist a decade ago are now commonplace in many industries. Employers are looking for workers who can adapt and bring new skills to the table. By upgrading your skills, you're not just keeping up – you're setting yourself up for better job security, higher pay, and more opportunities for advancement.

Jeff Bezos is quoted as saying, “In business, what’s dangerous is not to evolve.” Seems pretty spot-on for the founder of a $1.2 trillion company that is constantly evolving and innovating. Source: Forbes

Community Colleges: Your Local Skills Hub

Community colleges have transformed into powerhouses of workforce development. They offer a wide range of programs designed to get

A to Z of Community College Certificates and Courses

U.S. community colleges offer courses and certificate programs catering to diverse educational and career goals.

• As I researched this article, I was impressed by the wealth of large and small programs our community colleges offer.
• I also understand the intricate process each college requires to offer a course.

No esoteric or useless courses and certificates exist in a community college catalog.

Furthermore, community college instructors are specialists.

These experienced, credentialled adjunct faculty have state-of-the-art knowledge of their subject. And they are eager to share it with you.

So, whether you are in your 50s and have been laid off after working for the same company for 20 years or are a young person exploring your options after graduating from high school, explore all the possibilities your community college offers.

“Workforce development and economic development are inextricably linked,” Wallace said. “If we are going to be successful in expanding the economy of our region and raising per capita income levels of our residents, we will have to be extremely good at leveraging the education-to-earnings pipeline. Employers must be involved in all facets of their prospective employees’ educational journey.” Source: Community College Daily

Why attend a community college?

Some attend community college to obtain a two-year degree before transferring to a four-year college. There are several reasons for this.

• The first is the cost savings.
• Community colleges typically have much

How to Learn Online Successfully

I've always enjoyed learning online because I like setting my schedule.

• Setting your schedule will be an attractive part of online learning if you work full-time and have family and other after-work responsibilities.
• While online learning existed for the certifications I was studying for in the 2000s, today's experience is dramatically different.
• Online learning today has many more features than it did when I was studying.
• However, what made online learning attractive to me remains the same: I could fit it into my schedule.
• And that was important to me as a husband, father, and full-time employee of a Fortune 1000 corporation.
• Online learning allowed me to study for the Microsoft certifications I wanted to earn.

Who supervises you while you learn online?

Online learning relies heavily on your discipline and motivation. Most online learning systems will send reminders and offer help when they sense you need a little nudging.

Most online learning platforms communicate through messaging apps such as WhatsApp to answer questions and provide academic support.

However, managing your schedule for completing each chapter or module is up to you.

You can work at your own pace.

WhatsApp enables students to have direct and personal interaction with their instructors, which enhances the quality of the learning experience.— Nagaletchimee Annamalai et al., 2024

Use this introduction to the community college world to explore and learn more about these invaluable institutions of higher learning. The state and local authorities have established the community college in your area to serve you and your needs and requirements. Whether considering a career change or just finishing high school, your community college's courses and programs will help you reach your goals. Community colleges do this at a reasonable cost, too. So, scroll through my community college alphabet and click on the links for more detailed information about an entry.

A - Associate Degrees

An academic degree requiring approximately two years of classes and about 70 credits, the Associate Degree typically is the next educational step after graduating high school. It can be an end in its own right or a bridge to a four-year degree at a college or university.

B - Budget-Friendly Education

Paying for your college education is a big concern for most of us. Most community colleges charge less for tuition than 4-year colleges and universities. Moreover, you don't have to pay for room and board, as you will probably continue to live at home. Community colleges also offer financial aid. Several states and some leaders at the federal level have proposed tuition-free community college. Tennessee, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and California offer eligible students tuition waivers or substantial financial aid.

C - Career Technical Education (CTE)

Career Technical Education prepares