Recession Proofing a Career with Education
Using Continuing Education Programs to Maintain Employment Security
Wondering how to recession proof a career is on many minds today. This is a result of the current state of the economy and the high unemployment rate in this country. Fortunately, some employment has bright areas, while others are searching for the light at the end of the tunnel – a recovering economy. As a result, many people are exploring continuing education opportunities for improving their job skills.
Enrolling in continuing education programs provide the best opportunity to learn the latest trends in a career field, along with improving on the foundation of current employment skills. This is important regardless of trying to recession proof a job or not. Employers retain employees who are aware of the latest industry trends which facilitate increased productivity and improve the bottom line. Continuing education programs that increase career skills are the path to job security in a recession or even during non-recession periods.
Continuing education can be completed in a multitude of ways today, without impacting an employer’s job expectations. The best approach is through the distance education, often referred to as distance learning or online education. Advances in computer technology and integration of web-based teaching and learning systems have increased dramatically in the past few years making distance education viable for almost everyone.
For those who are still more comfortable with learning in physical classroom settings, colleges and technical school have evolved to meet the needs of their growing student population base, non-traditional students. No longer must adults take off from work to complete continuing education programs.
Advantages of Distance Education
Distance education provides the flexibility that most working adults need to complete a continuing education program and still meet life’s needs. For example:
- Flexibility to study in any convenient location with an Internet connection
- More opportunities to study the most current material available
- Flexibility for those with irregular work schedules
- Study materials at own speed
- Along with additional advantages
Continuing Education Options
Other strategies for helping to recession proof a job through continuing education include:
- Joining Professional Organizations – these organizations often provide continuing education units, along with additional career education resources. Most organizations hold conferences that provide a wealth of knowledge of the latest techniques and practices, along with providing continuing education opportunities.
- Developing a Continuing Education Plan – an action plan requires research into the best programs to improve job skills and most importantly, the plan is in writing. Written plans tend to be followed through, when compared to those that are still in the thinking stage.
Even in today’s economic struggles, there are plenty of opportunities for free continuing education. Free certifications are available for Microsoft Office products, along with other computer technology courses.
Open courseware classes offer free continuing education opportunities for anyone with a computer, access to the Internet, and the motivation to learn. These courses offer instruction from some of the finest professors teaching about the space shuttle, ocean vehicles, robots, theater scenery, and many more topics.
Making Connections for Recession Proofing Jobs
Continuing education is the one sure method of recession proofing a job. Employers only retain employees who do not rely on the knowledge they learned in school many years ago. Demonstrating to your employer that you are aware of current trends in your career by enrolling in continuing education programs to improve your job skills sets you apart from the pack. When an employer must let people go, you are one of the employees who will not get a pink slip because you are now a valuable asset to the employer.
Continuing Education
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