The value of continuing education: the reason you enroll is as important as what you sign up for
Credit to Author: Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer| Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2019 21:55:56 +0000
There are some excellent reasons why you might want to enroll in just one or a few continuing education courses. Even attending a single course could give you a view of the Canadian education system, its standards, classroom style and expectations. It can also help you get a job by demonstrating your abilities or help you to get into fulltime studies by upgrading your academics. It may even prepare you for retirement or lead to new interests and new friends. A single course may be a small resource with a big payoff.
For jobs or studies
Determining which courses to take is dependent on your goals. If you are concerned about meeting admission requirements for a program, you will want to get prior advice on which courses are acceptable. For instance, if you need to make up credits in science for admission into a post-secondary health science program, you need to check that the course you choose will be recognized as an equivalent. However, if you want to improve your writing skills, many different courses can help you with this, as long as you will be getting feedback on your writing assignments. Smaller classes where you are expected to participate frequently can help you with speaking effectively.
If you are looking for work, there are some individual courses that might be useful, depending on your field. You may want to seek advice on what those might be. In general, however, it will enhance your marketability to know something about accounting, statistics, web design, first aid, languages, computer applications, etc. In technical fields, you will want to seek out courses that focus on Canadian rules and practices or the latest developments in your area of work.
If you are considering a specific occupation or want to change careers, you may want to try a course in a related area through continuing education before committing to a fulltime program. For instance, a college course in real estate for law clerks may help you decide if you want to go ahead and study further to become a legal assistant. A college course in anatomy may introduce you to the scientific aspects of healthcare. A course in blueprint reading may give you a preview of the construction industry.
To explore your own interests as a part of retirement
If you are considering a part-time business as part of retirement, there are courses to help you add skills from marketing to cake decorating and home repairs. For your interests and pleasure, you can learn to draw, refinish furniture, write scripts, bake bread or weld. There is something for everyone, including fitness, nutrition, cooking and parenting.
Where and how
There are courses at colleges and universities, at adult secondary schools, in community centres, social service agencies, private schools and businesses. Courses can be delivered in person, online, or a combination of both. Some may earn you credit toward a certificate or degree. You may be able to find courses that are free or subsidized.
Don’t know where to look? Start by looking at the public school boards, local colleges and universities, ask a local librarian, and the settlement and local community and health agencies. You may also want to look into massive open online courses (MOOC) or community clubs such as Toastmasters.
While a single course or two allows you to try something out without making a big commitment of time or money, you will still want to make sure you can manage it. For instance, if you enroll in a course for credit, know if there is a deadline to withdraw from the course, if you need to, to avoid academic or financial penalty. Also find out about what will be required of you. As an example, if you are taking a food preparation course, will you be required to buy knives or a uniform? Will you need to purchase your own tools for a construction or renovation course?
A wide range of courses are available in most cities. They can help to prepare you for further education, new careers, and retirement and help you stay fit, smart and engaged. Taking that course may also come with added benefits such as having access to a career or advising centre, a gym or a library. You may get much more than you think out of taking just a course or two.