Updated on 10-28-2009 Back to School--A Good Idea For the Mature Job Seeker?

[Don Lubach]

A large part of my strategy with the Age of Work is to introduce our community to the education resources in Santa Barbara County. We are not quite Boston but we have a lot of educators, classes, and learning opportunities. My hope is that Age of Work attendees will learn about programs they've never thought about that might get them unfrozen, more employable, and ready to take on new jobs/career.

Let's use this space to examine how to turn your partial degree into a completed degree (whether hat's a high school degree or a graduate degree). I'm hoping to hear from some of my friends from area education institutions about their programs.

Do you have a story about how you took a class or earned a degree that led to new work?

NEW - Has anyone tried the One Stop "Short Term Training Finder?" I'd love to get a report of how useful it is. Great idea.

Links related to our Back-to-School Session:
Here's a nice, very basic, article on education options.

I liked this quote from another broad focused article about going back to school.
But the greatest benefit of getting that advanced degree is the pride or accomplishment you will get. If you are finishing your high school or bachelor's degree, it no doubt nagged you all your life that this was something that you started and didn't finish. So by going back and finishing it, you close that door and take away the power of that nagging voice.

Dr. McShane has located some good content for those of us considering distance learning.

Distance learning study tips sites

Success Strategies for Distance Learners
(World Wide Learn)
By Randall Shirley
Contributing Writer to World Wide Learn. © 2005. All Rights Reserved.

Educational Telecommunications
Copyright © 1998 College of DuPage

A nice reflective piece by a distance learner, Marion Casey, in the UK:

Young Meredith Farkia in Vermont has some good insights and sound advice to share via her blog too:

[Don Lubach]

Have you ever wondered about "Distance Learning?" I am still surprised that this format for education has not taken over the world. It's a great way to learn. Here's a link to a sample class that Harvard offers through their e.... I had to stop myself because I wanted to view all of these top-quality classes. If you have some time, fill up your tea or coffee, click the link, and go to Harvard for an hour or two.

[Shelly Dixon]

The Professional Development Center at Santa Barbara City offers short, 1 day classes in room 28 to assist you in development work based skills. Whether its sharpening your Business Writing skills, developing your Leadership skills or learning how to manage your time more wisely (who can't benefit from that?!!), we have the class for you. And, enrollment could not be easier! Just send us an email ([e-mail]) or give us a call 683-8284. Classes are just $15 a person.

[Don Lubach]

Here's an informative little article for those who are just realizing how powerful adult education can be.

[Betsy Robertson]

The Harvard Extension distant catalog here is fascinating but I note that the classes are expensive. Just down the Charles is that competing universe, MIT. It has also a large variety of courses and although one is not actually taking the classes, simply reading on one's own the syllabus requirements of prior classes, it's free. MIT OpenCourseWare

Don Lubach said:

Have you ever wondered about "Distance Learning?" I am still surprised that this format for education has not taken over the world. It's a great way to learn. Here's a link to a sample class that Harvard offers through their e.... I had to stop myself because I wanted to view all of these top-quality classes. If you have some time, fill up your tea or coffee, click the link, and go to Harvard for an hour or two.