Continuing Education: A Budget Guide

We talked about how quickly things change in technology. I think its important to note how quickly things change in professional disciplines. Most corporations are constantly rolling out new trainings and procedures out to employees to ensure their staff is up to industry, company and departmental standards for their job. Even professionals like doctors, nurses, project managers and many other high skill professions are required to continue learning new practices, laws and techniques to sharpen their skill set. Agencies offering those certifications usually require that employees have CECs (Continuing Education Credits) in order to maintain active status. Those credits can usually be obtained by attending onsite training and more recently offering hybrid course online and in person. And there are SO many certifications out there to grab. The costs to continue learning can be expense, especially for the small business.

Continuing to evolve means continuing to learn. But how do you do that when you're short on time and money. Here's my attempt to help you navigate programs, companies and costs associated with furthering education to sharpen your skill set. When considering your field, whatever that may be, look for the following things:​

• Free Course - The internet has an abundance of free courses offered through companies like Coursera. I would recommend taking every course remotely close to your field of interest that's offered for free. Make sure you print out the page that shows you passed the course, this adds validity to your effort. *Many courses on Coursera can be completed within a few hours.*
• Community College - Yep! Some colleges offer little to no charge courses that cover things like computer basics to speech. Some can be completed within the course of a day.
• YouTube - YouTube has a video for everything, it seems. I've even watched surgical procedures to know what I could expect from my own planned surgery. If you're looking to learn things check YouTube. The best part of it is, if you've got internet, YouTube is FREE!
• Audiobooks - People tend to overlook audiobooks. But it's the perfect way to learn while you work. Find a topic that you're interested in, search the web for a book, run over to the Audio service of your choice and purchase the book. Then start listening! The best thing about this method is that you get to start, stop, rewind, bookmark and really take your time absorbing the material. Learn at your own pace. Depending on the book, costs should be minimal in comparison to taking a class.
• Certification Course - Whatever field you're in, there's likely a certificate you can earn for it. Search for companies offering the class online or on weekends. This option can get expense, so if this is something you plan to do, make sure you're ready for the investment.
• Professional Organizations - If you're a member of any major professional organization, chances are there's a certification offered. Usually, members get a discount on those courses. Check into it and find a study-buddy within your group - its so much easier when you have the support of a colleague. 

There are so many options available with the gift that is the internet. Make the investment to perfect your craft at every stage of your career. Your clients will appreciate it and your rates may increase because of it!