Is Continuing Ed for You? Continuing education is important for everyone now, in all fields. Almost as soon as you've completed a field of study and begun working--new ideas, approaches and techniques will be under discussion. To stay current in your discipline and to assure work success and career progression, it's imperative you stay on top of emerging techniques and technologies that affect your work area. Even if you have worked in the same field for years and have accumulated a rich repertoire of experience, Continuing Ed is vital. Many occupations are now adopting 'skill standards' that will formally define the knowledge desired or required for that field. In order to assure your ongoing career stability, you'll want to be sure to keep current and at least meet, if not exceed, defined 'skill standards'. Certification, in a wide variety of fields, is becoming more and more common these days, too. Even if you're already in the occupation--if today's new hires are expected to be certified in particular areas, it will be to your advantage to certify yourself as well. Ongoing education is one of the surest routes to promotion and it increases job security. It also enhances opportunity on the job market when you're seeking a new job. And, carefully planned, it can provide a good insurance policy against obsolescence. (If trends indicate that your career field or industry is in a downturn, with continuing education, it's possible to acquire new skills and successfully move into another occupation or industry.) Reality is: There's no way to rose with continuing education. So, exactly what is 'continuing education' ? It can take many forms. For those in certain career areas (i. e., legal/medical) there are certain prescribed courses one must take within a certain timeframe. in order to remain licensed. In other areas, like technology, there are new languages, new operating systems and the like released continually that may be important to learn about for your particular field or business niche. For some, achieving specific certifications is vital. But, sometimes, Continuing Ed is less specific. Sometimes it's up to you to decide what courses/new learning will benefit you in your current job or on the job market as a whole. The reason for the necessity of Continuing Education is that