In modern times, the options for continuing one’s education and pursuing a professional degree have expanded to welcome non-traditional students of all ages in many different ways. Most programs are designed with the needs of busy professionals and those with families in mind, with unique training opportunities available, and to utilize online platforms as well as traditional classroom settings. Whether you’re looking to begin a career or pursuing a career change, or even just to learn a new skill or hobby, there is something for everyone available right here in Nebraska.
As a prime example, the Division of Continuing Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) facilitates a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Degree. This program in particular has an impressive history as it was established in 1950 through government funding as a “bootstrap” program for those coming back from war, offering members of our military the opportunity to start their college education or to finish a degree that was already in progress. “When I think about the vision of the folks who established this degree program, I’m amazed at how on-target they were to acknowledge bootstrappers’ experiences as part of one’s education and to grant credit for it towards a college degree accordingly,” explains Dr. Regina Toman, Assistant Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service at UNO. “Furthermore, they were also forward thinkers about the needs of non-traditional students. More than ever before those criteria fit our current learners.
The Bachelor of General Studies Degree Program partners with academic departments across the UNO campus. This allows students to choose courses from over fifty areas of study to meet individual career goals or requirements, prepare for graduate study, or satisfy personal interests and aspirations. Academic transfer credit from accredited postsecondary institutions is liberally accepted into the BGS Degree, and it maintains its origins as a military/veteran-friendly degree as credit is granted for military experience and education. We held students design an interdisciplinary degree program that fits their needs, so the program’s major advantage by nature is its flexibility. The Bachelor of General Studies Degree is available fully online; it is ranked #7 in the nation for Best Online Programs for Veterans and ranked #20 in the nation for Best Online Education Program by U.S. News & World Report in 2014.
Our students work directly with academic advisors who complete extensive training and who are well versed in helping non-traditional students and preparing them to be successful. A lot of our students are already working, so furthering their education will help to move them into a management position or promotion. Many of our students also go on to graduate studies, and report that they were well prepared to do so through the BGS Degree Program. Since UNO is a metropolitan university we partner with many resources in the community, and extend that partnership to our students with opportunities to get involved—courses that incorporate service learning, internships, programming for events that bring the community to the campus, etc.
The BGS degree fits the busy lives of adult learners and we are proud to serve this demographic by providing them with the opportunity to obtain a degree and pursue their career and life goals at any age.”
Degrees in the many business-related fields definitely continue to be popular as well, offering valuable knowledge and experiences that prepare students for real world opportunities with the clear focus of harnessing their potential in the business world. In fact, continued enrollment growth at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business Administration combined with an increase of 36 new faculty hired in the last four years has heightened the urgency for a new CBA building. Record enrollments at CBA approached 3,900 students this fall with an additional 1,300 students enrolled in the popular business minor program for non-business majors.
“The quality of applicants is increasing each year for our programs and we want to continue that trajectory,” emphasizes Sheri Irwin-Gish, Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and External Relations at CBA. “The $84-million, 240,000-square-foot CBA building is the largest academic building project in recent history at UNL. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects of New York and Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture of Omaha, the building is funded exclusively from private donations from CBA alumni and business partners. Furthermore, our new undergraduate certificate program in sales excellence was made possible by a $1.5 million donation from the National Research Corporation. Students who complete the program will be prepared for outstanding professional sales positions. Our partners in the community are indeed one of our great strengths, allowing us to go above and beyond by offering learning opportunities outside of the building for our students.”
She adds, “Preparation is key when starting a degree program, so right from the very beginning an advisor in the undergraduate programs office helps non-traditional students transition to the College of Business Administration. Non-traditional students are encouraged to take advantage of the many resources offered through CBA including Career Services at CBA and to get involved in the CBA community through one of our 24 student organizations, our study abroad programs in Brazil, China, Oxford, France, Italy and Japan and other opportunities. We are also very proud that we jumped 21 spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings and are currently number 51 nationally out of 426 undergraduate business programs.”
Learning at any age doesn’t necessarily mean pursuing a college degree; it can also mean picking up a new trade, skill, or hobby. Consider woodworking as a prime example of one of the many ways to learn something new and interesting.
“We’ve been seeing folks of all ages getting started in woodworking,” says Gerry Phelan, owner of Midwest Woodworkers. “Many of them are baby boomers approaching retirement but we do see folks from all walks of life coming in for classes. In some cases they took woodworking back in high school or dabbled in it but they never had time to get really involved. It’s great when we get to help people get started. And ladies, this isn’t just a ‘guy thing’. We see more and more women getting involved in classes and taking up woodworking. Why? Woodworking is a perfect artistic outlet. It stimulates your creativity and lets you make projects you can use and display for years to come. Woodworking is not as difficult or mysterious as you might think and there are so many possibilities, you are bound to find a discipline that interests you. And there is the practical aspect – you learn to make stuff. Whether it’s tackling a new skill, making something you need, or creating a gift for someone else, it’s hard to beat the satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands.
We offer classes specifically aimed at helping people get started in woodworking. The subjects include tool basics, cabinet making, wood turning, scrolling, carving, finishing, sharpening and more. The classes typically are aimed at folks just getting started and don’t require prior experience. We supply all of the tools and materials so you can be free to experiment. Our classes are small, 3-5 people at most and are very ‘hands-on’. We don’t talk about woodworking we practice it. We start with safety and make sure everyone understands the equipment and the techniques. Most of our classes involve making a project you can take home with you. That way the skills and techniques being taught are reinforced and can be repeated when you are working on your own.
Woodworking offers a wide range of creative outlets. Taking classes is a great way to try out various disciplines before making an investment in time and money. The key is to find the type of woodworking that intrigues you and then pursue it. Whether you need a hobby for relief from the pressures of the day or have a project you want to make learning about woodworking is a great way to start.”
With so many opportunities to simply learn something new on up to furthering your career through continuing education programs locally, a clear path towards achieving your goals and living the fulfilling life you’ve always imagined for yourself is well within reach. There’s no better time to start the journey towards your degree or pursue a new learning experience than the present!