How to Know Who is Getting An Education

More and more adults are seeking further education- either for self enrichment or for pure survival. Companies downsize or outright close every day, leaving all of their workers without a means of support for themselves or their families. Most of these people will seek a degree to pursue a new career, or a higher degree to get back into their old one. Either way, the number of adult learners has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years.

The Department of Education found that just around 92 million adults are enrolled in some form of continuing education and that number is only going to go higher as the economy spirals downward. No job is safe any longer, so having a strong educational safety net is the best bet. All workers receive onsite training specific to their job duties, but additional education is not only in the individuals' best interest, it may have benefits for the company as well. The more skilled a worker, the higher the productivity according to a Labor Bureau report. Some companies pay the total cost of continued education; some will pay for part, so check with your Human Resources representative to find out your employer's policy.

So who is getting educated? The recent trend has seen a near explosion in the number of women involved in some form of adult education, whether it is a community based enrichment program or college. More and more women are seeking higher education as they work toward being seen as more than wives and mothers. Gone are the days when a two job family was a rarity- there are hardly any families that can survive on one income alone any longer. With the cost of living skyrocketing, part time employment will not cut it any longer. It is almost impossible to get a decent paying job with only a high school education any longer, and thankfully more and more people seem to be realizing this.

Of course, I am not suggesting that a degree will guarantee you a high paying job and a life of ease. No one is getting rich on a degree in French Lit. In this day and age- but a well researched, well planned continuing education program can really put you in the driver's seat. Regardless of where you are right now, consider where you want to be and adjust your goals accordingly. If you are okay with meaningless, menial jobs for the rest of your life, then so be it. But, if you dream of something bigger, something better, than reach out and grab the opportunities that an education can open up for you.