Utilize events and classes at CMC to improve your life
By Barbara Johnson
This article first appeared in the Citizen Telegram.
You may have recently put together a list of New Year’s resolutions. Or you might just be thinking that a new year brings an opportunity for a fresh outlook.
I would like to suggest that in 2013, you join me in this goal: I resolve to learn.
There are many avenues for learning. We can learn by checking out a book at the library, doing research online, having a discussion with friends, or watching an educational program on television, for a start. And of course, we can take a course at our local community college.
As a lifelong learner, I know the joy and happiness that learning brings. Learning is a way to engage or re-engage our creativecapabilities. It can allow us to explore ways to link our personal lives to the goals we aspire to reach in our jobs and in our community.
Learning new skills can help us get a new job. According to the state of Colorado, by 2018 75 percent of all jobs in Colorado will require some form of higher education. That’s just five years from now.
Not only can learning new skills increase our hirability, it can increase the level of satisfaction with our current work.
Here at Colorado Mountain College, our mission is to create better futures. Learning is the most powerful way I know of doing exactly that. And we offer many reasonably priced classes, workshops, certificates and degrees.
When I talk with people who sign up for our classes, they often say they’re interested in making sense of what’s happening in the world. They might sign up for a Colorado history course, which links the history of our state with current issues, such as energy policy. Or they might take a class about the ethics of immigration, or environmental science, to increase their understanding in these areas that affect our daily lives.
Many other people come to us for our integrated energy program. In our program we really take a balanced approach, offering training in both renewable energy and traditional petroleum-based careers.
In our spring class schedule you can see all the numerous ways anyone can learn through us. And these opportunities are not always in classes and workshops. Sometimes you can learn through community events, like the bluegrass of Honey Don’t Feb. 22. Or PBS Community Cinema’s showing of “Wonder Women!” in March.
You also meet really interesting people here. When I’m lucky enough to be in a classroom teaching, I meet wonderful people who are doing fabulous things. The great thing about a community college is that everyone in the classroom, all ages and backgrounds included, is learning, together.
So go ahead – Resolve to learn in 2013.
Dr. Barbara Johnson is an instructional chair for Colorado Mountain College in Rifle.