Before you know it, your undergraduate education will come to an end. You’re probably excited to say goodbye to papers, lab reports, and exams (unless you plan to attend graduate school)! But learning does not have to end when you graduate; your educational journey could just be getting started.
In fact, lifelong learning can come in a variety of forms, including:
- meeting and engaging with new people
- traveling
- community involvement
- reading and keeping up to speed on current events
- pursuing career opportunities, certificate programs, and picking up new hobbies!
Here are a few tips/resources to help you become a lifelong learner:
UMBC Graduate School: If you plan on pursuing an advanced degree, look no further! Visit the Graduate School website to learn more about our exciting program offerings! Check out the Career Center’s website for more information and tips on applying to graduate school.
UMBC Division of Professional Studies: Do you already have a job lined up but are still interested in continuing your education? UMBC's Division of Professional Studies has courses, certificates and programs designed to fit the working professional’s busy schedule. Check out upcoming events at our Main Campus or Shady Grove Campus!
UMBC Training Centers: If you want to gain a new skill and need flexible and affordable options, you may want to visit UMBC Training Centers. High-quality, flexible, professional education and training opportunities are available year-round! Some courses are open to all individuals (no application needed).
Remain active: Clubs/organizations are available outside of college! A simple Google or social media search will direct you to various local activities where you can participate, take lessons from aerobics, to sports, or even learn a new language! Meetup.com is also an excellent resource for connecting with people who share similar interests!
Build your brand: Our Career Center is not just for current students! Alumni can make connections through various services that the Career Center offers. Seek out professional development opportunities within your workplace, including conferences, workshops, mentoring programs, or leadership training. Now that you are in a real-world setting, there will be other skills you will need to learn!
Stay in touch: As your graduating class prepares to travel down different paths, you will have so much to offer one another as you gain further knowledge and life experiences. By staying in touch with former classmates, you may encounter opportunities to collaborate in work or network in a field different than your own. To start, you can join UMBC’s Chapter of Young Alumni or other UMBC professional communities. Membership is free via the UMBC Alumni Association, which offers chances for networking and fun throughout the year. You can also participate in Retrievers Connect – an online platform that provides an opportunity for alumni to connect to support UMBC students, and connect with faculty and staff all in one space to support professional and career connections.
Don’t forget to join our LinkedIn page to see where over 81,000 UMBC alumni are working!
Remember that life after college is what you make of it. Keep an eye open to the countless experiences waiting for you outside of UMBC. Your very next lesson may carry you through life!