The benefits of continuing education are not difficult to discern: the nature of the phrase itself says it all. It is the act of continuing your education to sharpen your knowledge about a topic and better equip you to achieve what it is you want to achieve in life. While the overarching purpose for continuing education is generally uniform across the board, continuing education can benefit you in different ways based on your age—and what stage of life you are in.
One of the great qualities of continuing education is the fact that it is so non-discriminating—that it appeals to persons of varying demographics, situations and life backgrounds. At UWA Online, our Continuing Education e-Learning program is open to anyone, regardless if you are a college student, career person or otherwise. Learn more about how continuing education can benefit you based on your age.
- Young adults. Taking non-credit continuing education courses as a high schooler or high school graduate is an opportunity to discover what you are interested in. For example, if you suspect that you may want to study finance in college, take an online introductory finance course to find out if it is actually a subject you want to pursue.
- College students or recent graduates. People in this age bracket can benefit from online continuing education as a way to supplement the studies they are currently completing or have just concluded. It can be a way to further specialize within your major, setting you up to be more suitable for the specific job you are soon to be applying for.
- Young professionals. Continuing education for those who have recently entered the workforce is a means of making yourself more marketable by adding useful career skills to your resume. With the flexibility that online continuing education courses afford, you can work at your own pace in your free time while still working full time and earning a certificate that can help you in your career down the road.
- Established working people. When you have been engulfed in your career for decades, it can be easy to get set in your ways and overlook new industry innovations, ideals and standards. Continuing education is a way to keep yourself up to date on the latest and greatest ideas in your field. Earning a certification is also a way for you to give yourself the advantage if you are eyeing a promotion.
- Retirees. The benefits of continued learning as people age are still being studied, but research thus far suggests that lifelong learning can provide positive life-changing benefits for elderly persons both mentally and emotionally. Not only can online continuing education courses keep your mind sharp by helping you stay active mentally, but they can also improve quality of life by occupying your time with activities you enjoy. You can pick up a hobby in retirement by signing up for non-credit continuing education courses.
Continuing education can benefit you in numerous ways across various times in your life. No matter how old you are, the value of learning something new is never something to discount. To learn more about what UWA Online Continuing Education e-Learning has to offer, visit us at www.uwa.edu/ce.