Perspectives on Applying Learning

Recently I've had a few opportunities to talk with some recent high school graduates about their plans for the summer and beyond....including continuing education.  I found it rather interesting listening to them talk about the pressures of attaining good grades to get into good schools to try and get good jobs (the typical parental mantra to motivate kids through the high school years - it didn't work on us when we were kids yet we try it on our kids and they will try it on theirs as well - maybe some things are genetically coded.....).

Anyway what struck me is the attitude of some of these young people.  They are not "buying in" to the college right after high school tradition.  As a matter of fact many of them are looking at ways to get involved in the global community for a year or two before going "back to school" to earn a degree.

Some are looking at AmericaCorp, Habitat for Humanity, and other global service opportunities.  They are seeking ways to expand their experiences as a world citizen, gain a better understanding of how the world works, meet some people with similar values and aspirations and concerns, and share their passion for giving back.  Some want to be able to use this time to get to know themselves better.  Many are considering smaller, less well known colleges or universities.  Some are pursuing their own interests distance learning universities and online classes.  And yes, the truth be told, some just don't know what they want to do, but they know that the traditional path just isn't the right thing for them now.

Some are looking at the experiences that their parents have had both in academics and in the business world.  Many think about deferring college to enlist in the military.  Some are considering adult education certificate programs or getting into an adult education diploma program that allows them to go to school while pursuing a job or their passion.  They've seen their parents working while getting their degrees (undergrad as well as post grad work).  They've seen their parents go back to get a second degree or certificate and start a new career.  They have learned that education is the key to their future, but it doesn't have to be down the traditional path.

For all of the caterwauling about today's generation (every generation past has complained about the one they created), there are a lot of bright kids (okay, parents, you can acknowledge that you did a great job with your kids....there, feel better?).  I came away from this conversation feeling pretty good about the next generation of learners.  They are taking charge of their own education.  They have challenged the system, the teachers, the parent, and even the business world.  They have options that we never heard about, they are courageous, they are afraid of the future, but not paralyzed by their fear.  It feeds their desire to get outside of their comfort zone.  They know that you can hit the reset button and recover if you make a mistake.  They are not afraid of doing something they haven't done before.  They create opportunities, they create their future, they create our future.

They will change the way education will be delivered in the years to come and they will complain and be overly concerned about the next generation.....and somewhere down the road, some one will have a conversation with a group of the next generation and find out that this new generation, like the ones before it, will create a world of new knowledge and opportunities for living, for working and even for learning.......

They are using online courses, accelerated undergraduate programs, and distance learning  in ways that create opportunities for those in academics to create the future of colleges and universities.  They are creating new careers and new technologies that are creating opportunities for colleges and universities to grow and evolve faster than ever before.

The adult learning community is listening and responding!  Never before has there been so many options for today's learning community to access education.  Never before has there been so many options and academic programs to purse so many unique and innovative degrees.  Never before has the academic world been more ready to serve and support the adult learning community.

So, graduates (high school, tech school, community college, college and university grad, and even you post-grad learners) when you get ready to turn to the college and university community to continue and support your education and career advancement goals, we will be there, ready to give you the education you need to continue your journey as a lifelong learner......

See you in class......