Educational Options After Being Laid-Off

Going back to school can buy you a lot more than credentials--it can increase your confidence, expand your network of professional contacts, and give you in-demand skills in a tight economy.

If you’re worried about being too old, don’t be. Colleges are increasingly gearing their offerings to the adult learner, making it more comfortable and convenient for adults with demanding schedules (when I returned to school for my masters degree, over half my fellow students were my age or older, including two retirees who were planning on starting their second careers).

Of course, “returning to school” does not necessarily mean that you need to get a degree. Many colleges offer certificate programs that typically require less than a year-long commitment. These programs are career specific and can be a wonderful way to quickly gain credibility and credentials, especially if you already have a bachelors or masters degree.

Continuing Education/Training Resources: As part of your job search strategy, you may choose to get additional training and education. Whether you’re interested in a full-blown degree program or just want to take a few courses, you’ll find the following resources quite helpful:

Direct Degree: This site provides you with information about a variety of traditional brick and mortar colleges (as well as online learning options) to help you transition into new growth careers. You'll be amazed at the array of options available for adult learners.

Peterson's: A fabulous one-stop site to connect with undergraduate, graduate, certificate and online programs.

Trump University: Whether you love him or hate him, Donald Trump does know something about entrepreneurship and real estate. If you're looking to learn more about either of those options, this site has a wide variety of Trump learning materials.