Non-traditional Education

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

It turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks. In this day and age, it’s never too late to continue your education; it’s even encouraged. For employers, employees, and the unemployed, going back to college has become a valuable tool in the professional world.

Right here in Bakersfield, there are several options for non-traditional college study. With a wide selection of institutions, students can earn a new degree, and professionals can seek additional post graduate training that will help them advance in their industry. These vocational schools have great options for those who have busy schedules that don’t allow for traditional classes like full-time employees and parents. Now that both classroom and online options are available, going back to school is making a comeback.

“Particularly in today’s job market, we’re seeing more and more professionals and working adults looking to improve or strengthen their educational background,” said Danica Ross, Director of Public Relations for University of Phoenix.

Employers are at the root of the change. When graduates enter the workforce, they are filled with valuable, albeit theoretical, knowledge and tend to lack practical application experience. By furthering their education while working, employees can apply the information they are learning in practice and real time.

“An educated world is a better world and employees in any industry could benefit from continuing their education and strengthening their skills,” said Ross.

Prospective employees hoping to enter the job market are also beefing up their resumés with individual courses, professional development, and other forms of continuing

education. “Keeping professional skills current and staying on top of an industry’s latest trends through continued education allows people to differentiate themselves and demonstrate initiative and relevance to potential or current employers,” explained Ross.

Many employers offer tuition reimbursement and will refund an employee for the cost of attaining a degree in their field while they remain employed. An educated employee is a benefit to any company and often the employer will assist in helping to complete their education goals. This can be a very realistic way to return to school to earn a degree while still working.

Michelle Newell, Public Affairs Specialist with Aera Energy explained, “Aera encourages employees to continuously pursue the growth and development of their skills and competencies. We believe this is essential for both employees and Aera to remain competitive and to achieve Aera’s business goals.” Employees who choose to utilize this benefit are able to complete their undergraduate or their masters degrees all while working and actively applying their education to their profession.

Another employer who offers tuition reimbursement is our very own City of Bakersfield.

David Lyman is a principle planner for the Department of Economic and Community Development and has taken advantage of the opportunity to further his education. Lyman decided he would go back to school to complete his master’s degree in public administration; when he found out the city would pay him back for his tuition it sealed the deal. He completed his degree at Cal State Bakersfield by taking evening classes. Lyman said he was able to “apply theoretical concepts to real life situations,” adding that it gave him, “credible tools to address complex problems.”

Being able to return for his master’s degree laid a foundation for Lyman, and he then pursued and completed a second master’s in public policy and earned his PHD in politics and policy. Both of these degrees he paid for himself, but were extensions off the master’s that the City funded.

“I like to think they got a high return on their investment,” said Lyman about the benefits for his employer. Lyman is also now a part-time faculty member at CSUB and finds himself exploring the other side of education.

Whether continuing their education or going back for a new degree, students can obtain valuable certifications that according to Ross, “can show that an employee or perspective employee is serious about their profession.” The non-traditional route of returning to school is very common in many professions including nursing, education, and accounting that require continuing education to remain licensed or certified, or to remain a member of an association or licensing body. Many continuing education programs offer test preparation and refresher courses for professional exams.

Teachers are a great example of a profession that utilizes the non-traditional approach, because who knows the value of education more than an educator? Teachers looking to meet education demands and the needs of their students often turn to continuing education. Colleges offer various courses and training like bilingual education, special education, or teaching methods for math or science. Whatever the area of study, teachers can receive training to keep an edge on current curriculum and education standards. Keeping an edge is a good idea for any professional today.

With the state of the economy, competition in the job market has gotten fierce and prospective and current employees are challenged for ways to stand out and keep an edge. Non-traditional college, online, and evening classes offer a platform for working professionals and job seekers to reach their educational goals on their own time and pace. It seems Horace Mann was right when he said, “A human being is not attaining his full heights until he is educated.”

Article appeared in our 28-2 Issue - June 2011