There’s always something to learn. Whether you’re picking up a hobby or starting a new career, you’ll need to acquire fresh knowledge and skills. And you should be eager to embrace the challenge, because lifelong learning has a lot of benefits. Here are a few.
It Can Help You Succeed at Your JobOnly 25% of hiring managers say job seekers have the skills their company needs.1 If you want increase your chances of getting a good job, you’ll want to take the time to acquire the skills employers are looking for. One way to do this is by earning a college degree or graduate certificate in the field that’s associated with your preferred career. Graduate certificates and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees all can be beneficial.
It Can Help Your Brain Stay HealthyContinuing to learn does good things for our brains. Recent research has found that learning keeps brain cells working at optimum levels, which may slow cognitive and memory decline as we age.2 The best part is, the learning can come in multiple forms. As long as we’re acquiring new knowledge, we’re keeping our brain healthier.
It Can Help You Stay ConnectedFrom participating in continued education at colleges and universities to attending art classes at the rec center to studying and debating important issues in online groups, many forms of adult education allow you to meet new people and connect with the ideas of today. If you want to keep making friends and avoid becoming out of touch with the modern world, one of the best choices you can make is to continue learning.
It Can Help You Stay FulfilledMany people participate in lifelong learning because they enjoy it. And that’s no surprise, given that research has shown that lifelong learning can increase our sense of self-fulfillment.3 When we take the time to learn new things, we open our minds and gain wisdom that can help us make the world a better place through social change and other life-affirming endeavors.
It’s Easier Than Ever to Engage in Lifelong LearningThe rise of online education has made lifelong learning a real possibility, no matter where you live. That’s because online learning lets you learn from wherever you have internet access. Plus, you can take online classes at whatever time of day works best for you, keeping you in control of your schedule.
Whether you simply want to take a course on a specific topic or you want to earn a degree from a good college, you’ll find plenty of online courses and online degree programs that meet your needs. Many top higher education institutions allow you to earn a degree online, giving you access to accredited universities across the nation and world.
Walden University, a leader in distance education for more than 50 years, offers online graduate certificates and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. It also has its School of Lifelong Learning, where you’ll find hundreds of online courses designed for people like you who are passionate about learning and growth.
Walden’s lifelong learning storehouse includes micro-courses like AMPlify Your Professional Writing. There are professional development offerings, where successful completion culminates in a Certificate of Completion or a Professional Certificate, and courses that confer academic credit, which you may be able to apply toward an online degree.
Discover learning opportunities in education, counseling, business and management, data science and technology, health, and psychology. Or explore the School of Lifelong Learning’s other offerings, where you may find a new passion or career goal.
Accredited online universities put educational opportunities at your fingertips. And with just a few keystrokes, you can start reaping the benefits of lifelong learning today.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering online graduate certificates and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
1Source: www.shrm.org/hr-today/trends-and-forecasting/research-and-surveys/documents/shrm%20skills%20gap%202019.pdf2Source: www.health.harvard.edu/blog/learning-new-skill-can-slow-cognitive-aging-2016042795023Source: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042812019751
