Adult Learners: Upgrading Your Skills

U.S. community colleges offer courses and certificate programs to cater 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 or 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, review 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 lower tuition and fees than four-year institutions, allowing students to save money in their first two

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. Now, I was learning online back in the 2000s. Online learning was available for the specific certifications I wanted to earn, but the difference between then and now is like night and day. Online learning today has many more features than it did back then. 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. However, working through each chapter or module is something you have to schedule and manage yourself.

What teaching method does online learning use?

You will encounter two approaches to online learning: synchronous and asynchronous courses. In synchronous courses, you’ll log in at specific times for live lectures and discussions, while asynchronous courses let you access materials and complete assignments on your own schedule.

Learning online is like having the best teacher you have ever had. You know the one I'm talking about. She was so enthusiastic

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

As you know, healthcare is a huge industry in the United States. Since there have been significant layoffs in other sectors of the economy, whether you've been laid off or are just beginning your career, I suggest you explore healthcare. You and I think of healthcare as the domain of medical professionals such as doctors and nurses. That's only partly true. Healthcare has dozens of positions and roles, one or two of which might suit your requirements.

U.S. health care spending grew 4.1 percent in 2022, reaching $4.5 trillion or $13,493 per person. As a share of the nation's Gross Domestic Product, health spending accounted for 17.3 percent. Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

So, to help you explore the field, I've compiled a list of some of the positions in the healthcare field, ranging from supporting roles to paraprofessional and professional roles. Healthcare offers a variety of jobs at several levels. In other words, you can earn a certificate to become a member of the profession. In fact, you don't need a four-year degree for many well-paying positions. Your community college will offer foundation courses and certifications for select positions. Contact it for more information.

We'll start with the positions requiring four or more years of education in the field.

Degreed Professionals:

Physician Assistant (PA)

Physician Assistants (PAs) work alongside physicians to diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medication. They provide essential medical care in various specialties, from