Interpersonal skills are important for most jobs today.
Having the skills to get a job in a particular field does not mean you will have the skills to keep that job indefinitely, or to move into a different job that requires even more skills. Continuing education courses can bridge these skills gaps. Here are some continuing education courses that will benefit any career.
1. Writing classes.
Not all entry level jobs require good writing skills, but nearly every management and upper level job will require them. Whether you move up to a new job with your existing employer, informally take on more responsibilities in your current job, or change jobs altogether, you will need to know how to write memos, coherent and grammatical emails, and reports that will be clear and concise. Business writing courses will teach these and other skills so that you can demonstrate your skills and move up in your job.
2. Foreign language classes.
Chances are, the community you live in has significant minority populations that speak a different language than English. Learning one or more of the major foreign languages spoken in your area can give you a way to reach them, whether to make new customers or better serve existing ones. Many continuing education courses in foreign languages focus on immersion techniques and other ways to learn practical skills like conversation rather than conjugating verbs or proper written grammar.
Continuing education courses can provide computer skills that will be needed for your current or future job.
3. Microsoft Office or other computer software classes.
Most of today’s jobs require some level of computer literacy, and learning the intricacies of the computer software programs used in your job will make you more effective in your job, and possibly qualify you for a promotion. Microsoft Office is one commonly used program that most offices use, and includes programs like Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. While you may have basic knowledge of these programs, you can learn a lot more that may help you do your job better.
4. Basic bookkeeping.
Small business owners need to know bookkeeping skills, but what about department heads? Managers? Administrative assistants? There are lots of jobs where bookkeeping skills will come in handy, and they are fairly easy to learn through continuing education classes. Even if you have someone else in your business or your department handling the bookkeeping, you need to know enough bookkeeping yourself to check up on what their doing and make sure it’s accurate and honest.
5. Interpersonal skills.
It’s a rare job in today’s marketplace that doesn’t require good interpersonal skills for maximum effectiveness. Many professional jobs have become increasingly team-oriented, and if you want to become a team leader, you will be judged formally or informally on your ability to interact successfully with others. For many people, these skills don’t come naturally and must be learned through continuing education courses.
CCSU offers continuing education courses covering all of these subjects and many more career-building topics that can benefit anyone in any career field. View our open courses to see everything we have to offer.