About Continuing Education
by Scot Giambalvo
Change can be a good thing. Deciding to improve your skills, especially if your goal is to
use those skills to help others, is a very good thing, and a smart move.
Continuing your education can be a good thing, but first you must decide what
"continuing your education" means to you. Are you looking to expand your
horizons, perhaps improve your general knowledge? Do you want to get a college degree, or
even just an associates degree? Or do you want to get a job, start a career you can live
and grow with?
I was corrected (more than once) by Mr. Gary Kay, President of the Academy of Medical Arts
and Business, concerning the difference between continuing education and career training.
"Career training is different from continuing education. In continuing your education
you have a very broad goal, and thus you get broad results. When you embark on career
training, your goal is highly focused, and you get a very polished result, thus the term
career training." I paraphrase, but what Mr. Kay explained to me was that students
attending the Academy are choosing the directions of their careers, and subsequently their
lives at that very moment in time. They are shaping their own futures successfully.
BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE
I originally went to the Academy looking for assistance in writing this continuing
education article, but when I was done, I had learned a great deal about what specialized
schools do for their students, and how they differ from traditional learning institutions.
I was shown how a school like the Academy can proactively address the needs of its
students and at the same time cater to the demands of the business community. Career
schools can change their programs according to the load placed by industry. If a need for
specific computer programming personnel arises, (such as Internet HTML programmers),
schools like the Academy can develop and institute a focused program, that brings
candidates of that skill to the workplace, in a very short time frame.
I asked Mr. Kay what makes the Academy different from a regular college, he answered:
"At the Academy our students come in search of specific skills that will help them
get a job and start a career when they graduate." The Academy trains its students in
fields that are in high demand. They are placed in internship situations during their
program (all programs have internship opportunities), and are almost guaranteed a job upon
graduation. Unlike traditional colleges, a career training degree can take as little as 15
months, incur a fraction of the cost of a college education, and often yield more
marketable skills right out of the gate.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE?
First look at your situation and motivation. Are you fresh out of high school or have you
recently become a displaced result of corporate downsizing? Are you on your own, or do you
have others to support? Which is more important to you, the stature of a college degree
(which weighs heavily with some) or the prospect of getting a good job right out of
school? Do you have the years required, full time, to dedicate to college, or will you be
attending school while working?
Once you have cataloged your situation and motivation, measure them against the recognized
results of each possible education. College degrees offer you broad knowledge and
expertise recognized and accepted by business and industry. But remember, after college
you have to get out in the workplace and get some experience. Career schools, on the other
hand, offer highly specialized skills in narrowly defined areas of business. Colleges can
be costly and may take longer than four years to complete a full degree program (if you
attend part-time), while career schools have diploma programs that can be completed in as
short as nine months.
One thing I would like to add, is that on my tour of the school, I experienced a very
positive atmosphere, generated in most part by the students. (Note: these are just a few
pictures from my tour.) I briefly interviewed a few, and observed classes of others. I was
impressed with the professionalism and goal oriented responses I received to my questions.
It is obvious that these students are preparing to enter the workforce and start a career
as soon as they graduate.
In making a decision about continuing your education or getting career training, you might
want to read another column in this issue of MODE called: About THE WANT ADS.
If you would like more information about what the Academy of Medical Arts and Business
offers, you can call them at: 717-233-2172, or go for a tour, they are located in the
heart of Harrisburg at 279 Boas Street. (Our MODE offices are across the street if you
want to stop by and say hi.)
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