How Do I Choose the Best School for Career Development?

When choosing a school for career development, you should consider your current occupation, your career goals, and feedback that you have received from colleagues and superiors about the areas in which you need additional training and education in order to move forward in your career. Other things to think about include a school's reputation, career development resources, and the logistics of actually attending and affording classes. In some cases, it may be a good idea to spend some time talking with a career vocational counselor before choosing to enroll in a school for career development.

Some universities and colleges offer opportunities for career development in the form of counseling and assessment services for mid-career professionals and displaced workers. They may also offer professional degrees online or during nighttime or weekend intensives. In some cases, these schools have adult education departments that focus on teaching specialized skills and issuing post-graduate certificates and diplomas that can help people enhance their resumes. Attending such a school for career development can be a good option if you are working in a professional field or already have a college degree but need to either obtain new skills or refresh old ones.

Trade schools and junior colleges may also offer career development programs. As these schools tend to be geared more toward helping people gain vocational qualifications quickly so that they can get to work, you may find that this is a better type of school for career development than a more academic institution. In many cases, vocational schools, community colleges, and stand-alone adult education schools offer specialized training in areas that can significantly increase your marketability and income potential. These areas may include computer and software skills. You may also be able to earn professional certifications that are recognized in your field and that can assist you in advancing your career.

No matter what type of school you choose, you should find out what types of supportive services are available to students. If you are going to school for career development, you should find a school that can offer you professional career guidance, assessment services, and job placement assistance. By taking advantage of these services, you will be in a better position to put any training and education you receive to good use. It is also important to find out whether the school you attend is authorized by pertinent government and accrediting agencies to offer educational programs. If not, your coursework may not be recognized professionally or by other schools.