Weighing the Option of Continuing Education

• Kathryn Doan
• December 15, 2020
• Newsletter Article

Like genetic code, career pathways are unique to the individual. Unlike genetic code, there are times in life when one needs a career change—sometimes a slight re-direction or at other times a paradigm shift. Whatever the case may be, when is going back to school a good option? Well, the continuing education students we talked to said they considered three things in making their decision.

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Like genetic code, career pathways are unique to the individual. Unlike genetic code, there are times in life when one needs a career change—sometimes a slight re-direction or at other times a paradigm shift. Whatever the case may be, when is going back to school a good option? Well, the continuing education students we talked to said they considered three things in making their decision. The considerations were:   

1. Timing, or where the person was on their career path  
2. Experience, including a level of experience, knowledge and understanding of career options 
3. Goals, having a clear and specific idea of what you want to achieve  

Most new grads, for example, have less opportunity cost than someone ten years into their career heading up the corporate ladder with a six-figure income. Losing that earning potential plus tuition, may make a return to full-time education unattractive for many. That being said, at present, there are endless options for continuing education, with may part-time, virtual, and affordable opportunities to learn while balancing work and family.  

 

Experience is one consideration that Alison Carrow, a continuing education student in nutrition, weighed heavily in her decision to go back to school. “I knew I wanted to specialize in something healthy, sustainable and therapeutic but wasn’t sure what, so instead of continuing at university after my undergrad degree, I went away, tried some things and took time to clear my mind and gain perspective on what I really wanted.” Gaining additional new experiences can be eye opening in two ways, first, to gain focus on a specific path and second, awareness of what is possible. 

 

Having clear goals of what you want to achieve is also valuable to understanding whether continuing education is the right option. Some are obvious like changing careers from a grain trader to a veterinarian, a robust education component would be required! Other career changes that are not so clear could forgot continuing education for other learning options such as volunteering, something as simple as this can give experiences that support goals, rather than more certificates for the wall.  

 

To explore further career path options, check out the AgCareers.com Education Profiles. For online educational advancement opportunities in agriculture, find out more about our University Partners.