Pursuing adult education can seem like a daunting task, but it’s certainly rewarding. Learning is a fulfilling experience, and the right type of study can advance your employment prospects too. However, what adult education is the right step for your career? Below, we explore three options for you to consider.
Take a remote course
There are plenty of these on offer, and remote learning is overwhelmingly the most popular way for adults in employment to learn. Most major universities offer fully remote courses, and there’s evidence to suggest that the number will increase as adult learning receives a funding boost. There are even dedicated online universities with no physical premises, so you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Remote learning is popular because you can fit it almost entirely around your schedule. There’s no need to leave the house; the lessons come to you, and (in most cases) you can take them whenever you want. Some people will inevitably miss the stimulating atmosphere of a classroom or lecture theatre, but remote courses remain the most straightforward route into adult education.
Don’t underestimate the power of apps, either. Many are designed specifically with adult learning in mind, including the popular Khan Academy, Lumosity, and StudyBlue. While app-based learning might seem a little unconventional, it’s rapidly catching up with more traditional methods.
Learn with your employer
It’s in an employer’s best interest to develop their staff. Many organisations now offer in-house education alongside more specific training. This kind of education is usually conducted via platforms like Thinqi and will be tailored towards your industry. For example, if you’re working in the digital sector, expect to be offered courses in that area.
The advantages of learning with your employer are manifold. It’s stress and hassle-free since you won’t have to arrange or coordinate the courses yourself. It’s often much cheaper too, if not completely free. The downsides, of course, include less flexibility. For example, if you want to learn a new language but work in the finance sector, it’s unlikely that your employer will offer any in-house training in that area.
Nonetheless, employer-led learning can be enriching. It gives you the chance to grow and develop within your job, offering new knowledge alongside career progression.
Attend night school
Night school is still one of the most popular forms of adult learning. Evening classes were wildly popular during the 1970s and 1980s, and although their heyday has passed, you’ll have no trouble finding a course. As the name suggests, classes take place in the evening, and you’ll learn alongside a group of like-minded adults.
Most people are surprised to see the scope of subjects offered at night school. These range from exercise classes like pilates to crafts, including pottery and painting, to more academic areas like history or languages.
Advantages include convenience and flexibility. There are night school classes in nearly every subject, and you’re free to tailor your education however you see fit. Since classes take place in the evening, they’ll never clash with your work schedule or pose problems in that area. The main disadvantage is that you sacrifice a degree of downtime by attending a class, and it’s often more tempting simply to relax at home after a hard day’s work.