Returning to school as an adult

Another summer has past and yes, the “ber” months are upon us again. A new school year has just begun and most parents are probably celebrating that classes have resumed for their kids – some but not all. Believe it or not, some of these parents actually may also have registered for school.

Each year, an increasing number of Canadians pursue post-secondary education, including adults. According to a Statistics Canada 2009 data, between 1986 and 2006, the number of Canadians with undergraduate degrees doubled and the number of Canadians with master’s degrees practically tripled.

For an adult, or a “mature” student as most universities classify anyone who has been out of school for more than two years, or those students who are over 23 years and older, leaving the office for the campus is a challenge. However, going back to school as an adult is becoming increasingly popular not just for those who are experiencing a mid-life-career crisis, but also for many who have stable careers but are not quite ready to quit their pursuit for learning. If you are contemplating going back to school but are still on the fence about it, there are many reasons to consider.

Increase your earning potential

Most “lifers” in companies, or those employees who spend their life in a particular career, commonly do not hold an undergraduate degree, especially those individuals who work for larger corporations. Some of these employees may feel stuck or get bored with their job. There is no better way to boost one’s salary and get a promotion than to earn a certificate, diploma or even a degree. For those who have an undergraduate degree and who desire to move up the corporate ladder faster than others, pursuing a master’s degree would definitely increase their dollar value.

Obtaining additional training is not only a great way to broaden your knowledge; it is also a good indication to your employer that you want to make a difference through professional development.

Learning does not end

At a recent graduation ceremony I attended, the keynote speaker talked about his experience at his own convocation upon completion of his MBA program (Masters in Business Administration). He said, “Did you know that five years from now, everything that you have learned in your program will be expired?” As shocking as it may sound to some people, I sat there thinking about what the logic might be behind the speaker’s statement. Instinctively, I agreed that the speaker had a point because theories and studies do continuously evolve with the work world, after all and what a student learned five years ago might not be as accurate in their particular field now.

Upgrade your credentials

Newcomers or immigration applicants always ask me about their particular field here in Canada. There is no doubt that jobs are always available. The challenge is not because there are not very many job openings in their field of choice. The true challenge is “competing” for a position, for instance, when a newcomer applies for an accounting position that requires a professional designation such as CGA (Certified General Accountant) or CA (Chartered Accountant). Even if a newcomer has extensive years of experience in their country of origin, an employer may be more inclined to hire an applicant who possesses a CGA or CA. Education and training standards vary from country to country and, unfortunately, not all credentials will be recognized if the standards are not equivalent with what the employer desires. Going back to school is a great way for newcomers to upgrade and enhance their existing skills and knowledge, especially those who are targeting specialized fields that require licensing and designations based on North American standards.

There are a variety of institutions in Winnipeg that have continuing education programs designed to help adult learners who work during the day and who have tight family schedules. To name a few, three of the main schools that offer these programs are Red River College, the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg.

Learning is a life-long pursuit. It is never too soon or too late for experiencing new ideas and skills. Adult learning not only enriches personal development, it also has a positive impact on individuals and communities.

Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardour and attended to with diligence. Abigail Adams (1744 - 1818)

Sources:

Statistics Canada data: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/educ42-eng.htm

Michele Majul-Ibarra is a Compliance Officer with Canada Post Corporation, specializing in Human Rights and Conflict Management. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Human Resource Management. She also has a professional designation, C.I.M. (Certified in Management) awarded by the Canadian Institute of Management through the University of Manitoba. 

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