Education is Everywhere

Before you know it, your undergraduate education will come to an end. You’re probably excited to say good-bye to papers, lab reports, and exams (unless you plan to attend graduate school)!

Lifelong learning can come in a variety of forms, including, but not limited to: meeting and engaging with new people, traveling, community involvement, reading and keeping up to speed on current events, pursuing career opportunities, certificate programs, and picking up new hobbies! Learning does not have to end when you graduate; your educational journey could just be getting started.

Below are a few tips/resources to becoming a lifelong learner:

• UMBC Graduate School: If you plan on pursing an advanced degree, look no further! This fall, UMBC is awarding newly admitted alumni with a $1,000 scholarship! Visit the Graduate School web site to learn more about our exciting program offerings!

• UMBC Division of Professional Studies: Already have a job lined up but still interested in continuing your education? UMBC's Division of Professional Studies has courses, certificates and programs, designed to fit the busy schedule of the working professional. New program offerings include Data Science; Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership; Technical Management; and Integrated Product Development and Manufacturing.

• UMBC Training Centers: If you are looking to gain a new skill and need flexible and affordable options, you may want to visit our Training Centers. High quality, flexible professional education and training opportunities are available year-round! Some courses are open to all individuals (no application needed)!

• Remain active: Clubs/organizations are available outside of college! A simple Google search will direct you to a variety of local activities where you can participate, take lessons from aerobics, to sports, to even learning a new language! Meetup.com is an excellent resource for connecting with people who share similar interests!

• Build your brand: Our Career Center is not just for current students! Alumni can make connections through various services that the Career Center offers. Seek out professional development opportunities within your workplace, including conferences, workshops, mentoring programs, or leadership trainings. Now that you are in a real-world setting, there will be other skills you will need to learn!

Stay in touch: As your graduating class prepares to travel down different paths, you will have so much to offer one another as you gain further knowledge and life experiences. By staying in touch with former classmates, you may encounter opportunities to collaborate in work or network in a field different than your own. To start, you can join UMBC’s Chapter of Young Alumni, open to graduates of the last decade. Membership is free via the UMBC Alumni Association, which offers chances for networking and fun throughout the year. Join our LinkedIn page to see where over 55,000 UMBC alumni are working!

Life after college is what you make of it. Keep an eye open to the countless experiences that are waiting for you outside of UMBC. Your very next lesson may be one that carries you through life!

Bonus Links:

Why You Should Strive to be a Lifelong Learner by Matt Mayberry