The importance of continuing education
Being able to navigate the ever-evolving world of work is essential, so mastering the most in-demand skills will help land a good job after graduation. In this context, it is good to consider yourself a lifelong learner, whether you have left university to pursue a professional career or are just starting out as a student. In both cases, it is convenient to be updated.
According to the Institute of Corporate Finance, “The business world is continually evolving, with rapidly expanding industries and jobs. Job descriptions change, and skill sets that used to be needed for a particular job may not be enough today.” So being open to continuing education is one of the best ways to ensure that you will be a viable candidate.
Over time, lifelong learning will become normalized as part of our educational experience. It used to be that people trained for a career and generally stayed on that path for their entire lives, now that’s not the case. As Roger James Hamilton, founder and CEO of Genius Group, writes in the Global Banking and Finance Review: “With technology blurring the lines between industries and speeding up processes, adult workers are more likely to jump from one industry to another and acquire new skills and knowledge”. So you will also need to decide how you want to conduct continuing education in the long term, on campus or online.
on campus
Students who attend classes on campus have access to everything the university has to offer, from in-person support services, clubs, organizations, tutoring, and other activities. Also, being on campus allows them to meet and mingle with other students who may share similar interests, which is very helpful for making friends or creating study groups.
By attending in person, the student enjoys student life, which can include living in residence halls, dorms, or apartments, participating, making friends, and being better connected to the university.
However, studying on campus, or at least enjoying all its advantages, requires time and financial resources that are not always affordable, so learning from home means considerable savings in accommodation, transport and maintenance.
Online
In this sense, online education provides A lot of advantages. First of all, geography is not a limitation, so education from major countries such as the United States can be accessed from anywhere. Wherever you can carry a laptop and have reliable Internet access, you can learn.
With online education, the student can quickly interact with a wide range of people and receive assistance from educators and other university officials when they need help. In addition, working in an online learning environment helps to gain experience in the use of different platforms, something very valuable and useful when it comes time to look for a job.
For many students, online education is more profitable than face-to-face education by being able to stay at home and have more flexible schedule to balance work and family obligations, in addition to save money on trips to campus.
But along with these benefits, there are also Some inconvenients more or less easy to correct depending on the personality of the student and the configuration of the chosen program. Those who choose to study online may feel like they are losing touch with campus. In addition, they will need to be comfortable receiving virtual support and get used to working primarily through computer screens with teachers and peers. Finally, online students miss out on the benefits of student life and campus, where many student affairs offices and other opportunities to learn and socialize are located.
Choose the best option for each student
section of continuing education of UC Irvine (UCI DCE) offers students both options. Foreign students can participate in English programs, certificates and practices, and even customize your own learning plan. No matter where in the world they are, the student will find a program that meets her needs and prepares her for a career in her chosen field.
Some examples
Mariana Boeira Pozas enrolled in the UCI DCE after leaving his marketing business in Brazil to move to the United States. Realizing that he needed to update his knowledge to attract American clientele, he enrolled in a ACP in the ICU. He created his own educational path combining studies in data science, dData analytics, digital marketing and communications, as well as business English. After graduating, Pozas landed an internship at AWM Smart Shelf, an innovative retail marketing company, which led her to a full-time data analyst position.
Fernanda FigueiraUCI DCE graduate comments: “My program was very organized and all the teachers had extensive knowledge of the subjects they taught. For me, the biggest benefit of the program was without a doubt the networking. I will apply everything I learned during the program to my professional life.”
Ultimately, students who choose to learn on campus or continue their education online will be supported by DCE as it offers many activities and opportunities for them to get involved in the classroom and the local community. Both options in DCE open up a wide range of possibilities that are worth exploring.
