Did you hate school? You couldn’t wait to get out into the world to earn a living and felt everything you were learning just did not relate to real life. If you can identify with this, it may come as a bit of a shock to discover that lifelong learning is now something which should be on everyone’s agenda. Information and knowledge have become essential commodities since the late 20th century, irrespective of which career an individual is involved in.And if that isn’t bad enough, technology is moving at such a rapid pace that it is difficult for consumers, never mind experts to keep up. Not long ago there were millions out there trying to figure out how to program their VCRs. How on earth are they coping with mp3 players, digital TVs and phones which incorporate video cameras and internet access?In fact, even the economic eras in which we are living change so quickly, it’s almost impossible to keep up. The Industrial Age started around 1750 and continued until approximately 1970, when the Information Age began. You could be forgiven for thinking we’re still in that one, but since then we’ve already moved through a further age and into a second one. The Knowledge Economy started in about 1990 and gave way, in around 2002, to the Intangible Economy, in which intangible goods are of prime importance and consist of a combination of factors such as information, brand and popularity.What impact does all this have on our careers and the job prospects for our children? A big one, without doubt, for if we are to survive in the new economy, we need to develop new skills and knowledge and to keep up to date with change.So how can you do this? If you already work in an area which is thriving, it is essential to keep up with the latest developments in your industry. If you are looking for work, or in danger of being made redundant, it would be a good idea to look at which industries are experiencing growth and to develop skills and acquire knowledge which would be useful in those fields.Education has also changed dramatically, with the rise in importance and increased accessibility of distance learning, especially online. Developments in technology have also taken into account different learning styles, enabling people who have difficulty with traditional studying to learn in other ways, for example, by listening to audio lessons and using interactive programs on CD or the internet.If you have been out of education for a long time, you could consider short courses, either in the community or online, to get used to being a student again. If you have internet access, try out some free courses in a field which interests you. If you aren’t online at home, spend time in an internet caf or a library. Alternatively, look out for local community education programs.Once you feel more confident about your abilities, you can consider working towards a qualification which will enable you to catch up with the latest employment trends. If you have children this will also provide valuable knowledge which you can use to help them make career choices.Waller Jamison 2006Author: Waller JamisonArticle Source: EzineArticles.comProvided by: How Electric Pressure Cookers Work
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