Today’s thought: Never stop learning
Education doesn’t just stop when a person is handed a diploma.
In fact, colleges and universities are not trade schools. They are not in the business of just giving people skills to do a job (like say work for a newspaper) — they are in the business of giving students skills for life. A good college education expands ones mind and teaches critical thinking.
An education like that can be used to foster a lifetime of learning. People who are at the top of their professions are often lifelong students, constantly learning, asking questions, seeking answers and never accepting the status quo from themselves. Certain professions like doctors and lawyers require continual learning.
Learning can be in the traditional sense like signing up for a class or two or even embarking on a new degree. But learning can also be as simple as being a voracious reader of books, magazines, newspapers and Web sites. Tools like Google Reader help me more efficiently consume information and manage disparate information.
Unlike college, learning doesn’t have to cost money. The Web is filled with many free resources that are phenomenal (people’s del.icio.us links are often an excellent resource). And even some prestigious universities like UC Berkeley are offering free Webcasts of many of their lectures. I’m following along with Computer Science 61A.
Why not? It’s free, and I want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of computer science.
If you’re a journalist who wasn’t taught anything online while in school, don’t fret. Your education gave you the tools to keep learning, and there are plenty of free and low cost resources available to learn whatever online skills you need.
The only thing you ever need for learning is time.