As baby boomers begin to reach retirement age (born 1946 -1964), they are searching for ways to make a difference in the world. After years being involved in a career that is now coming to a close, they need something challenging to keep them active. These adults are used to being involved and want to continue meaningful involvement in their community.
Most baby boomers are not satisfied with traditional volunteering activities; they want to become involved in making decisions that make a difference. Why this view? Baby boomers became of age during the turbulent 1960s and early 70s; their actions led to many changes in this country. Now they are ready for a new challenge: changing their community and the world for the 21st Century.
This view is especially true for baby boomers that have been in leadership positions. They view retirement as merely a change to a new career which will serve their community and the world. They find the best way to accomplish this is to go back to school gain knowledge and learn strategies for making the kind of impact they want to make.
Baby Boomers as Lifelong Learners
These adults view earlier education achievements, regardless of being high school degrees or advanced college degrees, as means to getting a job. Now they view continuing education as a means to:
- Create a new enterprise with a community purpose in mind
- Use non-profit businesses and organizations as means to accomplish a collective purpose
- Prepare them for public office running on a platform of community reform
- Engage in think tanks which seek to resolve community issues
- Write books, newspaper articles, and other writing venues to inspire reform
- Run well researched websites and blogs which focus on resolution of world issues
- Become activists in organizing others in to think about community and world issues
Online College Degrees
There are many ways adults can continue their education. Attending traditional classroom education or completing college programs through distance learning. Many enroll in online college degree programs, because of the convenience and flexibility of the programs.
Many baby boomers view themselves as lifelong learners and find distance learning programs ideal for their situation. The advantages of these programs include:
- Enrolling in courses which meet their goals offered by any college in the country
- Developing a better understanding of the issues due to the nature of distance learning using the latest technologies and Internet based resources
- The ability to learn at their own pace and explore more additional related information in detail
- Earning a degree in any subject matter they are interested in, which may not be offered by a local college
Going back to college is a great way for baby boomers to earn degrees in fields they have been interested in all their life. Online education degrees provide them with the knowledge they need to make the desired impact they want regarding community and world issues.
Baby boomers are not ready to retire and sit on the front porch waiting for time to pass; they have been involved and in some way have been activist all their lives. Continuing education provides them with the opportunity to continue being lifelong learners and activist.
Additional information regarding continuing information can be found by visiting Community Education for Lifelong Learners . For baby boomers who have not enrolled in distance learning courses before, visiting Online Education Learning Strategies for Adults provides excellent techniques for being successful in any online degree program.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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