Continuing Education
I have been doing some research in online study as I decide on a master degree program. Now that I am working as a full time employee of the University of Kentucky, I can do a masters program with free tuition! It is scary to think about that kind of time management change in my life, but I am excited about doing it. It is a great perk from the university for its employees. I certainly don’t want to miss out on such a great opportunity!
Are you considering going back to school? School is not just for kids! Learning doesn’t end with high school graduation or even college graduation. Professional people are required to continue their education to stay current in their jobs. If you don’t have a job that you love or you have been thinking about changing jobs, maybe you should go back to school.
Many classes are offered in such a way that working people can fit them into a busy schedule. If you never finished high school, there are ways to complete your diploma that can directly impact your lifelong income. A high school graduate can expect to earn more than those who did not complete high school. The more education and experience you have, the better you can expect to do in the job market.
Pursuing a high school diploma is important, as is pursuing further education and training after high school. Job opportunities are limited for those who have not completed high school. The number of occupations requiring at least an associate degree has risen and will continue to increase. Some occupations pay better than others, so make sure you select the right program to meet your needs. Visit http://www.collegeboard.org/ to search programs that will help you further your education. Beyond high school, education and training programs include community and technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities, online education, school-to-work programs and trade school programs.
Projected job growth rates for 2008-2018, according to employment projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, predict that the following occupations will have the highest growth: Registered nurses; Home health aides; Customer service representatives; Food service workers; Personal and home care aides; Growth rates vary by state and demographic area. Kentucky jobs projected to have the most openings include retail, food service and health care.
Having education and training beyond high school is related to lower crime rates, improved health and stronger decision-making skills. Not only do those with high school diplomas have a better quality of life than those who do not, but college graduates clearly are also better off than those with a high school education.
Weigh the cost of your education against what you can expect to make starting out full-time after completing your degree, whether you are going to a four-year school, technical college, or job training program. Regardless of which you choose, you want to make sure you will be okay financially in years to come. For those who need more hands-on career training, a community college or trade school might be best. If you want to become an electrician, for instance, a trade school will provide you with the proper training at a lower cost. It is smart to attend a school that fits the job training you will need.
Most important, do not base your career choices only on what you think is available but on what you enjoy and are skilled at doing. Resources are available to help you decide what you enjoy and have the ability to do. Tools such as career interest inventories can help you decide which direction you want to go in life. Go to http://www.careerpath.com/ for more information.
One way to get ideas about things that you like to do is volunteering. Many community service organizations have opportunities for volunteering in a variety of topic areas. Your county Extension service has agents who work in the areas of agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, family consumer science, youth development, community economic development, arts education, and arts activities. Let us know if you have interest in any of these areas and we would be happy to guide you into a volunteering opportunity.
Contact Anne Stephens, Extension Agent for Fine Arts in Greenup County at 606-836-0201 or anne.stephens@uky.edu. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.
Resource: The Value of Continued Education by Robert H. Flashman, Family Resource Management, and Megan Hempfling, Family and Consumer Science. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, M. Scott Smith, Director, Land Grant Programs, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Copyright © 2012 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Publications are also available on the World Wide Web at www.ca.uky.edu. Issued 11-2012
