SEC 6 - Lifelong Learning - Update and Hone Your Work Place Skills
The Successful Encore Career Podcast - SEC 6 - Lifelong Learning
Learning – sounds difficult. Yet how many of us have learned to book an airline flight, or found a new restaurant online? Did we find our grandchildren on Facebook? Or possibly learned a new card game? We are likely learning something new every day.
One major issue mentioned by many employers, regarding mature job seekers, is their inability to learn new skills. Qualified applicants have to convince employers that they are not only able to learn new skills, but they consider learning to be an important step in their continued success in the workplace.
Computer skills are usually the first issue facing older workers. Technology changes each minute – how can anyone keep up? There are many other skills critical in today’s job search, such as: writing, communications, listening, public speaking, math/accounting/budgeting, leadership, teaching/training/tutoring, and many more. Our role as a job seeker is to provide employers with an overview of our up-to-date skills and the successes we have had using those skills over the years. Our resumes, cover letters, and interviews should highlight all of our skills, but particularly those we have more recently learned and/or updated.
Mature Job Seekers have many opportunities to learn! A huge proportion of those opportunities are free of charge, or very reasonably priced, either located right here in our community, or online. Central Ohio has many learning opportunities, let’s explore a few:
College courses – free, no credit
• Program 60 at The Ohio State University
http://ced.osu.edu/CEd_pro60.php
Program 60 is a free program, open to any Ohio citizen 60 years of age and older, on a space available basis (non-credit/non-degree). Thousands of Ohio State courses are open to you. Update your writing skills, or learn a language.
• Good as Gold at Columbus State Community College www.cscc.edu/admissions/adultlearning/good-as-gold.shtml
This program is similar to OSU’s P60. As an audit student, you have an opportunity to update your skills in accounting, or business administration, any course on campus, with permission of the instructor.
• Otterbein’s Senior College
http://www.otterbein.edu/public/FutureStudents/adultstudents/senior-college.aspx
Is another program focusing on the needs of mature learners on a college campus, with courses free of charge.
The are other types of college programs, such as:
• Lifelong Learning Institute @Central Ohio Technical College www.cotc.edu/AboutCOTC/campuslocations/pataskala/lifelonglearning/Pages/lifelonglearning.aspx The LLI is a membership organization for those 60+ (annual fee = $90). Although the courses do not seem to be “work” focused, the learning process is important and course completion shows your ability to learn!
Columbus State’s Center for Workforce Development and non-credit course program has many opportunities to update your skills in areas as English, Writing, Computers, business/industry, many as low as $55.
There are many free learning/training programs through your local library.
• Columbus Metropolitan Libraries
www.columbuslibrary.org/services/jhc
Our award winning library system has extensive learning opportunities, particularly in technology. You can even “borrow a librarian” to teach you how to use your iPad, iPhone, Tablet, or Nook! All free of charge.
Online programs:
You may find online programs which are regular degree programs such as University of Phoenix.
Or, you can find programs such as “Coursera” where courses are under $100 and taught by the world’s leading faculty. www.coursera.org
In Central Ohio we have several groups that provide free, or low cost computer training, such as Per Scholas, and Digital Works.
And of course, you have MOOC’s – massive open online courses which can be found. Just “google it”!
Other options:
Do not forget other agencies in your community that provide employment services, they will often have job training and/or skills training programs, such as Goodwill Columbus.
As well as professional associations, other workforce development programs which you may have access to through previous employment.
Thanks for listening to The Successful Encore Career Podcast, presented by Employment For Seniors. If you would like more information about our podcast, please send us an email at podcast@employseniors.org.
Available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or your favorite podcast player.
A podcast of the Circle270Media Network - www.circle270media.com
Learning – sounds difficult. Yet how many of us have learned to book an airline flight, or found a new restaurant online? Did we find our grandchildren on Facebook? Or possibly learned a new card game? We are likely learning something new every day.
One major issue mentioned by many employers, regarding mature job seekers, is their inability to learn new skills. Qualified applicants have to convince employers that they are not only able to learn new skills, but they consider learning to be an important step in their continued success in the workplace.
Computer skills are usually the first issue facing older workers. Technology changes each minute – how can anyone keep up? There are many other skills critical in today’s job search, such as: writing, communications, listening, public speaking, math/accounting/budgeting, leadership, teaching/training/tutoring, and many more. Our role as a job seeker is to provide employers with an overview of our up-to-date skills and the successes we have had using those skills over the years. Our resumes, cover letters, and interviews should highlight all of our skills, but particularly those we have more recently learned and/or updated.
Mature Job Seekers have many opportunities to learn! A huge proportion of those opportunities are free of charge, or very reasonably priced, either located right here in our community, or online. Central Ohio has many learning opportunities, let’s explore a few:
College courses – free, no credit
• Program 60 at The Ohio State University
http://ced.osu.edu/CEd_pro60.php
Program 60 is a free program, open to any Ohio citizen 60 years of age and older, on a space available basis (non-credit/non-degree). Thousands of Ohio State courses are open to you. Update your writing skills, or learn a language.
• Good as Gold at Columbus State Community College www.cscc.edu/admissions/adultlearning/good-as-gold.shtml
This program is similar to OSU’s P60. As an audit student, you have an opportunity to update your skills in accounting, or business administration, any course on campus, with permission of the instructor.
• Otterbein’s Senior College
http://www.otterbein.edu/public/FutureStudents/adultstudents/senior-college.aspx
Is another program focusing on the needs of mature learners on a college campus, with courses free of charge.
The are other types of college programs, such as:
• Lifelong Learning Institute @Central Ohio Technical College www.cotc.edu/AboutCOTC/campuslocations/pataskala/lifelonglearning/Pages/lifelonglearning.aspx The LLI is a membership organization for those 60+ (annual fee = $90). Although the courses do not seem to be “work” focused, the learning process is important and course completion shows your ability to learn!
Columbus State’s Center for Workforce Development and non-credit course program has many opportunities to update your skills in areas as English, Writing, Computers, business/industry, many as low as $55.
There are many free learning/training programs through your local library.
• Columbus Metropolitan Libraries
www.columbuslibrary.org/services/jhc
Our award winning library system has extensive learning opportunities, particularly in technology. You can even “borrow a librarian” to teach you how to use your iPad, iPhone, Tablet, or Nook! All free of charge.
Online programs:
You may find online programs which are regular degree programs such as University of Phoenix.
Or, you can find programs such as “Coursera” where courses are under $100 and taught by the world’s leading faculty. www.coursera.org
In Central Ohio we have several groups that provide free, or low cost computer training, such as Per Scholas, and Digital Works.
And of course, you have MOOC’s – massive open online courses which can be found. Just “google it”!
Other options:
Do not forget other agencies in your community that provide employment services, they will often have job training and/or skills training programs, such as Goodwill Columbus.
As well as professional associations, other workforce development programs which you may have access to through previous employment.
Thanks for listening to The Successful Encore Career Podcast, presented by Employment For Seniors. If you would like more information about our podcast, please send us an email at podcast@employseniors.org.
Available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or your favorite podcast player.
A podcast of the Circle270Media Network - www.circle270media.com
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