Career Advancement Programs

With a snap and a thud, the bed lurched to the floor, sending all five of us flying.  Coffee cups evicted their contents and the once clean sheets obliged in soaking it up.  Startled, we looked around and tried to figure out what had happened.

Saturday mornings when we don't have obligations are a luxury in our home.  I relish that rare opportunity to sit in bed sipping endless cups of coffee and talking with my husband.  In various stages, one by one each of the kids will also congregate there and we end up having great family time together---that is, until the kids become awake enough that things get a little too rambunctious and someone inevitably ends up getting hurt.  (Did I mention that three of the kids are boys?)  Still, it's something I cherish.  Last Saturday, we were on our way through enjoying this ritual, when my son (who weighs only about 75 pounds) sat on the bed, and like the last straw in the game "Kerplunk"  the frame supporting the mattress gave way, and we---like so many marbles tumbled to the floor.  Game over. 

Initially, we were---irritated.  But as the morning wore on, and we discovered that the bedframe might not be salvageable I realized that might also mean the end of the uncomfortable mattress.  Suddenly I began to see opportunity, where previously had dwelt only dismay.  Visions of a new mattress now crowded my thoughts.  Re-energized, I made shopping plans.

You know, continuing my education and career advancement with adult school programs at Granite State College is a bit like that.  I was unhappy about the fact that I had not finished my college schooling in the "traditional" way I had begun at age 18.  But now I also see that unfinished degree as an opportunity to enjoy schooling in a different context; that of having an adult's perspective, and life experience to bring to the classroom.  I guess it's like they always say....."when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." 

 I can't help but be excited about a new president joining Granite State College. Each president that comes through the college leaves an amazing legacy. So many new programs and initiatives are started under the guidance of the president. Granite State offers so many adult education courses, online courses and opportunities for career advancement and many of these began as the dream of the president.
So with a new president joining the college, it is exciting to think that Granite State will move ahead again in the field of education. Will there be new initiatives that we can all be a part of? Will there be additional programs offered? Our new president will lead us into the future.
I hope you will come along.

I am planning to teach a new course at Granite State in Rochester for next term. It is not a new course to the college, or to me,  but it is not one I have taught before here. So as I am gathering notes, media and information for the course I stop to think about the students I will have. These are students who are looking at career advancement programs, or adult education courses, adult continuing education courses, or classes for early childhood, or elementary education. What does that mean to me as a course planner?

Well, I want to meet the needs of my students. If they are taking a course to advance their careers, they will want practical knowledge that can be applied to what they do all day. If they are taking the course for continuing education, they may want a wide knowledge base but not the day to day focus. So, for all the students about to take a course, I want to make sure the course is meaningful and worthwhile.

The planning for my new course will take all these things into consideration so that on any given day the course will include a wide knowledge base and the hands on applications that students need. 

I have heard this statement numerous times in the past few weeks uttered by new students planning to start attending evening college classes at Granite State College. Of course it was also uttered with "I don't know how I will find the time" and "I am not sure I can do this." But they are doing it and they are excited about it.

"It" is college evening classes or weekend college classes.  They will make the time because education is important to them.  A college degree will advance their career, help them feel confident and proud of themselves, and even stave off Alzheimer's.  I actually had a student tell me this was her reason for returning to an adult college program. She is right, too. Education will keep your mind active, exercised, in shape, sharp and, well you get the point.

Another adult learner I met with was returning because her grandson asked her why she hadn't finished her college degree. After all she had just 2 classes left. There was no good reason not to and now she will be graduating in September.  She is so excited! As are so many adult learners who are taking classes to complete, or start, a college degree.

Is it your turn to get excited? Contact a Granite State College advisor today.

Every semester thousand of people in the adult training and education communities try to balance their career development goals with their work goals and sometimes even family time is taken into consideration (hopefully family time is the first consideration and the rest is after that, but I digress).  We struggle with the daily demands of taking care of our jobs and our families, yet we also see the value and benefit to fitting in either some career advancement programs or maybe decide to enroll in one or more online classes for college credit or maybe to finish that elusive degree work.

Witih more and more challenges in terms of the economic environment, corporate downsizing, companies only hiring small percentages of what they need, it can become more and more difficult to balance all of our priorities and feel like we are still in control of what we do.

We all know that time management is an oxymoron as we all have the same 168 hours each and every week to accomplish whatever we deem to be important.  Typically, if you take sleep (a non-negotiable) into consideration (averaging 6 hours per night) we are now down to 126 hours.  If you are working the typical 40 hour per week job, you know that you are committing at least 55 hours per week to work (not taking into consideration the commute time), we now have 71 hours left in our week.  If we commit 24 hours per week for the people in our lives that we hold dear, we now have 47 hours left.  

What to do with those 47 hours.  Given that most college courses are about 3-4 hours per week with another 3-4 hours of homework per week, it doesn't look as difficult as it did when you started reading this blog.  Maybe you might even consider taking two classes (there goes another 8 hours per week) and you are down to a mere 31 hours of free time per week.

Now, those of you who are still reading this commentary are either laughing or wondering what cave I just walked out of to figure out how we all have approximately 30 hours per week of spare time.  Well that equates to about 4 hours per day.  Just pick any of the last 7-10 days and look at where your time went.....I'll be you have at least 2-3 hours per day that you can't really account for, right?  It's like having money in your pocket.  You may start the week with $100 dollars in your wallet and then before you know it you need to get more from the bank, simply because you don't know where your money went.....$3.00 for coffee, $10 for lunch, $1.00 for the paper, a quick run to the grocery store and "what did I buy" becomes the guessing game.  Same as "where did the day go?"  Ever been so busy at the end of a day you sit back and none of the things you needed to get done got done, but you were so busy you don't know where the time went?  We all have been there.

So, if you didn't follow the math in this thought process, Granite State College has online adult college courses in math and other business programs.  If you want to make a great investment, take some of those 30+ hours of spare time and enroll in an adult education college course or two and find out where your time goes!

Like much of America, I got drawn in to watching tv's "The Biggest Loser."      I began watching one of those marathon sessions running (conveniently) on New Year's Day, and for the first few minutes I was intrigued by watching the contestants struggle through their rigorous diet and exercise regime, spurred on by the hope of a different future.  Once I began to see evidence of their progress, in the form of lost pounds and found confidence, I was hooked.  I am a bit embarrassed to say that my whole family (ok, not the 4-year-old) allowed this program to chew up the better part of our day, as I sat making food lists with new resolve.  We watched together and cheered on these folks who were moving past the beginning struggle of change, toward the goal, and vicariously shared in their victories.

As I am buckling down to complete the assignments due in my next class, it strikes me that the process of furthering my education is a bit like that diet & exercise struggle.  The goal is important---finishing my degree, and expanding my knowledge.  Although the day to day steps of studying and stretching myself are most often enjoyable, I sometimes go through a cycle of self-doubt --"can I really do this?".  But even in the midst of that process--the struggle leaves me energized.

The first class I took at Granite State College was one of the Concord NH classes "Critical Thinking."  I didn't know what to expect---it had been several years since I had been in school---and actually, I got something I didn't expect ---energy!  I had anticipated being tired, drained, and overwhelmed after class; after all I was sitting down to class from 6 - 9:30 in the evening.  Not exactly my most productive times!  The process of settling into a classroom with no other distractions (no one needed a sippy cup, help with laundry, or input on fundraisers for any committee) but the flow of new ideas, combined with the input from a group of fresh faces was absolutely exhilirating.  I came away feeling charged up and eager to talk.  I sat down with my husband for a couple of hours and chatted with him, had philosophical debates, and just enjoyed the very non-mundane conversations.  

I'd love to say that I came away from that first experience a constantly confident, calm person.  Not quite.  There have been a few classes where I still reach a point of doubt, and a couple of times when I have thrown my papers on the floor, marched out into the living room and announced "I am not going to do this anymore!"  When this happens my husband grins to himself, looks at his watch, and waits for my little "rain dance" to be over.    He knows that within 5 minutes, I will have calmed down, and have gotten back to work.  Funny thing is, after these breakdowns I usually manage to produce a project that turns out very well, and the victory following that initial frustration can't be beat. 




Similar to the discovery that through exercise you actually gain energy; the journey through education and career advancement through Granite State College has brought with it an energizing source of new ideas, as step by step I'm achieving my goal. 

 

Have you always dreamed of being a teacher but worry that it's too late to for you to change careers? We hear that frequently. Harriet Richardson Ames is proof that there are no limits to lifelong learning. She realized her goal of earning a bachelor's degree at one of our sister institutions just three weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday.

Regardless of your age or educational attainment, the teacher training education programs at Granite State College offer the perfect pathway to a career in education from an entry-level para-educator through an advanced endorsement. Somewhere there's a blackboard waiting for you.

If you don't have a bachelor's degree, Granite State offers affordable college study at locations all around New Hampshire. Our adult online degrees make it possible to get a college education without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Isn't it time for you to pursue your dreams and goals? Our post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs will help you make a difference in the life of a child. The question is "what are you waiting for?" So call or write -- it's YOUR turn to realize your dreams.

 

Consider how many people return to college each semester.  They are using Adult Education Services, accelerated studies, evening college classes, adult online classes, enrolling in continuing education degree programs and career training education programs.  Some take classes from their home or office, some still walk into the classroom with other students and an instructor. 

Now, think about all the reasons they are doing this.  Some are there to finish something they started before work, family, life took them down other paths.  Some are there to start their educational journey now that some other responsibilities have changed or gone away and they have the time.  Some are there for the enjoyment of contuning to be a life-long learner.  The vast majority however, are there to gain new knowledge in their efforts to become more valuable in their current positions, prepare for a promotion or in some cases, a complete career change.  Either way the expectation is that whatever you learn will be something that you will be, and should be, able to apply in your daily set of personal and professional circumstances.

One of the key differences in educational experiences between students who enter college right out of high school and the adult learner seeking education and career advancement hinges on two elements:

1. Experience - the student coming directly out of high school really is limited
                             in the level of experiences they bring to the classroom.  Most of
                             their learning has to be more directed and often includes the use
                             of case studies.  Case studies allow all students to share a common
                             set of experiences, usually with a known outcome, where the
                             proverbial "what ifs" can be explored through a guided lecture or
                             or assignment.  In the case of the adult learner, often coming to the
                             the class with years of work/life experience, they ARE their own
                             case studies.  They bring a unique set of circumstances, good and
                             bad, successful and not so successful, to the classroom.  They can
                             and should use these experiences as a tool in their educational
                             journey.
2. Focus - while the typical college student just entering college from high school
                      may have desires and aspirations that they firmly believe their pursuit of
                      an education will help them achieve, the adult learner, returning for
                      their education and career advancement desires tend to be very focused
                      and will willingly share their experiences with one another as part of their
                      overall classroom experiences.  They are very focused on what they are
                      learning and how they can apply that knowledge immediately, not at
                      some time in the future.  There is a sense of immediacy.

Keep in mind that every student, regardless of age or reason for being in class, has their own set of expectations.  Some take courses that are required simply because they are required, others zoom in on what are the lessons that will help them achieve very specific career goals.  In either case, the student and teach form a relationship that should result in the student knowing exactly how the lessons learned in that particular class can be used in their current situation.

When you participate in adult continuing education programs, for whatever reasons, remember that you have an obligation to apply your learning each and every day.  The best way to keep your knowledge current and viable is to use it.  

Remember to flex your knowledge muscles each and every day.....they are yours to apply and hone so the next set of learnings have a strong foundation to build upon.

I have been facilitating free workshops all over northern New Hampshire to help those uncertain of their future career direction.  Hmmm, it seems like we all are wondering about our futures these days, yes? …. I have been so impressed by the enthusiasm and guts of those who have attended.

Even though the job market is tough right now, many said they were ready to take advantage of the affordable continuing education that is available to them.  Two who attended recently said they were just laid off and insecure about going back to school again. It had been years since they went to school.  I understand that feeling, but it is nice to know we have strong academic support at our college.

Participants tell me the workshops entitled “Who Are You, Where Are You Headed and How Can Higher Education Help?” have helped them learn about our non-traditional paths of learning, including online adult education classes, part time classes and career advancement programs.  They also said they enjoyed exploring with others the education and career advancement opportunities up here in the North Country. 

I invite anyone who may be ready to "re-invent" themselves for their next phase in life to join us. The schedule of upcoming workshops is on our Granite State College website.