Go Back to Get Ahead: How Continuing Your Education Can Rev Up Your Career

Let the University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies help take you to the next level. 

The unemployment rate may be the lowest it’s been in years, but job security is still not a given. It’s more important than ever not to melt into the crowd. Whether your goal is to keep the paychecks coming, advance your career or change occupations altogether, you’ll have a better chance of being successful if you’re viewed as indispensable.

Developing a unique knowledge base or skill is a great way to excel at work. So why not get the education you need to do that? The University of Delaware, through Professional and Continuing Studies, offers opportunities to build your credentials and move ahead in your career.

Still, returning to school can be intimidating. Here are some common stumbling blocks—and how to remove them.
 

What should I take?

People often hesitate, not knowing where to start. “Should I choose a degree program?  A certificate? Take a class or two?” For those unsure of the way forward, the Adult Center for Continuing Education Student Services (ACCESS) at the University of Delaware is an indispensable resource. Advisers can help with career planning and assist in choosing the best educational path to meet your goals.
 

How will I fit this in with my other responsibilities?

People considering continuing their education worry how they can juggle classes with work and family responsibilities.  ACCESS advisers offer a few tips on how to maintain your balance:

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You do not need to do everything by yourself. Utilize friends and family members as support and to assist you with tasks when you are short on time.
• You do not need to do everything perfectly. Decide what you can live with and what you cannot.
• Use time going to and from class to mentally review the material you are learning.
• If you are a parent, share your experience of returning to school with your children. You are a role model for them. Let them see your hard work and determination to reach the goals you have set for yourself. Also, involve your children in helping out around the house in ways that are age-appropriate. This will foster their self-esteem.
• Utilize a calendar or an app for your electronic device to record all your tasks and assignments that need to be completed each week for you and your family.
   

How will I stay motivated?

“Sure I’m excited now, but will I be able to stay motivated enough to finish the course or program?” ACCESS advisers urge students to celebrate their academic successes. Whether it’s doing well on a difficult test or completing a course, savoring such milestones helps keep you focused on your goal.
 

Is this really going to be relevant to my work?

If you are seeking skills that can be immediately applied on the job, one answer is professional development certificates offered by UD’s Professional and Continuing Studies.  These practical, concentrated noncredit programs offer study on a particular topic and are taught by practitioners in the field.  Certificates are short term—most can be completed in four months, while others take six months to a year—enabling you to get information, and a credential, quickly.
 

Will I get lost in the shuffle as an adult student?

The University of Delaware has established a career and academic advising center just for adult students—the ACCESS Center.  Evening hours and phone appointments are available, and advisers are experts in helping adults reach their goals.

Professional and Continuing Studies offers professional development certificates ranging from Clinical Trials Management to Social Media Marketing Strategy, from Project Management to Business Analyst. Many classes for academic credit are offered in the evening and online, and many graduate degrees of interest to working adults are available. For more information on upcoming classes or to talk to an academic adviser, visit www.pcs.udel.edu, email continuing-ed@udel.edu, or call (302) 831-7600.

University of Delaware, Professional and Continuing Studies
850 Library Avenue, Newark DE 19716
Phone: 302-831-7600
Fax: 302-831-3292
www.pcs.udel.edu