Math Success: Helpful for Professionals

When you think of a class for reviewing math, do you picture a class full of kid’s studying for the SAT? I wondered the same thing at first. I had the idea that others, as in adult professionals, would get the same impression. I soon discovered that this class is completely online; however, students meet in a classroom environment for extra help on their independent topics. You can even log in at home to review the material anytime you’d like. I recently discussed the class content and setting with Math Success instructor Bliss Lucas. She told me that the class was made up of a variety of students:

 “Actually, there was a mixture of students in last semester’s class. There were students working towards their GED, high school students needing to take the SAT, and secondary teachers preparing for math subject GACE tests. All of the students were at different levels and worked at their own pace.”

The fact that students can work at their own level and pace, is an amazing benefit to this class. Many classes start on one level with a set pace. People find this to be a disadvantage when they already know certain material or want to go faster or slower through lessons. Bliss also mentioned,

“This is an excellent resource because it literally takes students step-by-step through content. It will not let the student advance to a new topic until the previous one is mastered. Also, there are audio tutorials and detailed examples, if needed.”

Math Success gives you the ability to learn exactly what you need to learn with the assistance of an instructor in person. Since this is the case, there is no reason for an accomplished adult to worry about reviewing the basics if they don’t need to, or being the only one their age in the classroom. This is the perfect class to get the math review you need without wasting time or feeling out of place. If you need to prep for an upcoming exam to further your career, Math Success is starting soon. Reserve your spot online by visiting www.ColumbusState.edu/CE, or call 706.507.8070. Ace that test!

-Kindra Hunter

Get Your Visual Arts Certificate for an Artistic Reward

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way…things I had no words for. 
-Georgia O’Keeffe

To a certain extent everyone has a creative side, some more than others. These people have a burning desire to express how they interpret the world, and art is what satisfies that desire. Our Visual Arts Certificate Program at Continuing Education is a great way to build your artistic abilities. There are so many techniques in drawing and painting that can help you recreate the image in your mind onto canvas or paper. Even if you have well developed skills, it can be beneficial to start from the basics to spot things you might have missed in your personal artistic development.

This certificate program is split in two, where you can chose to focus on drawing or painting. Students can expect to complete the certificate program in 6-9 months, depending on the student’s availability and the rotation of courses. Drawing specialization includes 4 required courses, 2 elective courses. Watercolor specialization includes 5 required courses, 1 elective course. As you enter each new class you can expect to build on what you’ve learned in the previous course, transforming you into a confident artist.

Our watercolor instructor, Brenda Stevens, has been creating art with watercolor since 1989. She had this to say about the Visual Arts Certificate, “In my opinion, it is beneficial to the student to learn all of these skills in a logical order, instead of the haphazard, disconnected, weekend warrior kind of way. Having a comprehensive plan that builds skill upon skill is by far the right way to do things. When a student receives their certificate, I think they will feel a sense of pride at having completed the required classes, and confident that they have established a strong foundation upon which to build years of pleasure and satisfaction.”

Whether you decide to make money with your artwork or to create it for your own delight, this certificate program can really improve the quality of your work. If you are interested in learning the details of this program make sure not to miss our FREE Visual Arts Certificate Information Session on January 11^th at 7pm. Reserve your seat today by visiting www.ColumbusState.edu/CE or by calling us at 706.507.8070.

-Kindra Hunter

Be sure to check out some of Brenda’s amazing watercolor portraits at www.brendaswatercolors.com

“Georgia O’Keeffe Quotes (Author of One Hundred Flowers).” Goodreads.com. Web. 08 Dec. 2011. <http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/140943.Georgia_O_Keeffe>.

Visit Our Free Winter Information Sessions for 2012

Continuing Education is starting the New Year off right by hosting certificate information sessions on January 11^th, 2012. We’ll have all the information you need to prepare yourself for a new venture. Take this as a reminder to join us on this day to see how you can enrich yourself through our many certificate programs and the classes we offer. You’ll have the chance to speak directly with class instructors and Continuing Education staff to answer any questions you might have.

We are offering information sessions at different times throughout the day. Listed below, are the certificate programs that will be available to preview:

• Medical Coding & Billing Certificate Information Session,  6:30-7pm
• Project Management Certificate Information Session,  6-6:30pm
• Sewing Certificate Information Session,  6-6:30pm
• Cake Decorating Certificate Information Session ,  6:30-7pm
• Visual Arts Certificate Information Session,  7-7:30pm

For those digital photography fans, we’re doing things a little differently this year. The Digital Photography Certificate Information Session will be hosted on January 5^th from 5:30-6pm. Come and see what you can expect to learn in our photography program. This is a great way to gain enough knowledge to create your own photography business, or to become a professional hobbyist.

These information sessions are 100% free of charge, and there’s no obligation to sign up. We only want you to explore your interests in hopes that you find something that can make a beneficial difference in your life. Reserve your seat today by visiting www.ColumbusState.edu/CE or call 706.507.8070.

-Kindra Hunter

How Focused Learning Can Benefit You

Focused learning is about pinpointing what you want to learn and learning it well. Programs such as our Medical Coding and Billing Certificate, Sewing Certificate, and Online Teaching Certificate teach you what you specifically need to know for that field of work. This type of learning has many benefits which includes fully preparing you for a job in that specific field, makes you attractive to potential employers and typically saves you time and money.

When you take a focused learning course you are devoting yourself to understand all there is to know about that specific area of work. Take Medical Coding and Billing for example, when you take this course your primary goal is learn what you need to know in order to perform the coding and billing function in a hospital or doctor’s office. This includes learning medical terminology, how to process documents, the billing reimbursement process and so on.  Once you complete the course work, you’ll be 100% qualified to apply for those jobs.

Employers see value in applicants who have this type of education on their resumes. Employers are searching for candidates who are ready to jump into the workforce. The less internal training they have to do, the more time and money a business can save.  By completing a focused learning program you are setting yourself up as the prime candidate for business owners who are looking to fill an empty position.

This sounds great, but how can you save money? Since focused learning means you’ll be concentrating on one specific area, this also means that you’ll be saving time and money. Focused learning is a great way to bypass a long four year degree program at a typical college because you can earn your certificate or degree in as little as a few months.  This is a great option for people who don’t have a lot of time on their side. Also, the cost of these programs tends to be a fraction of the expense of pursuing a degree from a four year college.

If you are considering a career or switching careers, the focused learning certificate programs at Columbus State University Continuing Education may be what you are looking for.  These programs are brief and to the point, but they teach you exactly what you need to know to get the job.  Don’t burden yourself with a hectic four year plan if it doesn’t fit your budget or schedule.  Get the job you want at reasonable costs and in a short amount of time. For more information visit us at ColumbusState.edu/CE or call 706.507.8070.

-Kindra Hunter

Learning UNIX or Linux May Open Doors for Your Career

So maybe you’ve heard of the Linux operating system before, but did you know that it could have the potential to make you a more valuable player in the workforce? Many people who aren’t familiar with operating systems might not realize the potential opportunities that are involved with learning about them. Just because your job doesn’t directly involve operating systems doesn’t mean they aren’t important. If you work in an area of business that is involved with operating systems such as UNIX or Linux, you can become more versatile in your workplace if you understand them. Our UNIX/Linux for Newbs instructor, John Wright, mentions below how this has benefitted his career:

“Learning the UNIX/Linux operating systems has enabled me to start a career in a very specialized field. Once you use UNIX/Linux at home, work, or your personal time and start to enjoy it, you will learn things that can prepare you for an entry level job as a UNIX/Linux Systems Administrator. Learning these operating systems will open up doors for your career in the IT field. UNIX/Linux is a very specialized operating system, and understanding it makes you very marketable even in non-system administration careers. Personally, the opportunities at my work and in my career opened up once I started using UNIX/Linux at home. I was surprised at how quickly I became successful.”

In the current job market it’s important that we distinguish ourselves as much as possible to advance in the workplace. Like John mentioned, you don’t need to be in a system administration field for these operating systems to be useful to you. If you are interested in learning UNIX and Linux to make yourself more marketable, take John’s class UNIX/Linux for Newbs at Continuing Education. John says, “The course will teach you the basics of UNIX/Linux Operating Systems which will enable you to interact with it at home or at work. If these operating systems spark your interest, you will want learn and grow to a level where the progression into a UNIX/Linux Career is easy for you.”

For more information about John Wright’s class call 706.507.8070 or visit ColumbusState.edu/CE

-Kindra Hunter

Women in the Workforce

Decades ago it was unusual for a woman to expand her role outside of her household duties. Today, there are more and more women entering the workforce, and some that have become the main breadwinner of their family. While working to make money and maintain a household can be hard, it can bring many benefits. The most obvious benefit is increased income. When both husband and wife are working, more money is being made. The husband and wife share responsibility in maintaining their home which increases equality in most cases; It’s not one person doing everything all the time. If kids are involved don’t be afraid to put them in daycare.  Daycare allows your children to socialize, build relationships, and play, while giving you your own time. Take your time to visit multiple daycare facilities to choose the right one for your child. However, there are a lot of housewives and stay at home moms who love what they do. It all depends on the person.

For me personally, I found happiness in going back to school. Being at home with my son and cooking dinner for my husband when he got off work was great, but I felt like I needed more in my life to be whole. The following semester I was back in school and on the journey to self-actualization. Even though there is extra stress that comes along with school, work, and my family, I know the hard work will pay off in the end. There is something so fulfilling about the independence and pride that a job can give you.

Ladies, if you feel like you need a new direction in life, the classes offered at continuing education may be want you need to find it. We offer a large variety of online programs such as Administrative Dental Assistant, Paralegal, Medical Transcription, and many more. These classes are a great way to advance yourself in the comfort of your home. Get qualified for a job that will give you the purpose you seek. Call 706.507.8070 or visit ColumbusState.edu/CE for more information.

-Kindra Hunter

Train for a Career that is In Demand: Pharmacy Technician

It’s no secret that jobs in the medical field are in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technician jobs are expected to grow by 25% from 2008 to 2018. When you mix a growing population with increasing life spans, you get more people living longer. For example, “Life expectancy is projected in the middle series to increase from 76 years in 1993 to 82.6 years in 2050. By 2050, life expectancy in the low assumption would be 75.3 years and in the high assumption would be 87.5 years.” (Census.gov) Also “the Nation’s population is projected to increase to 392 million by 2050 — more than a 50 percent increase from the 1990 population size.” (Census.gov) As a result, more and more people will need medical care to maintain their longevity. If you are looking for a stable and rewarding career with good pay, you may be interested in learning more about Continuing Education’s Pharmacy Technician Certification program.

I recently interviewed Charles Hunt, a registered pharmacist since 1979 and one of the pharmacy technician trainers from Condensed Curriculum International (CCI), who shared his thoughts on this profession. We discussed the earnings for pharmacy technicians. Starting pay ranges from approximately $9 per hour to $15 per hour depending on experience and the pharmacy setting.  He also made sure to mention the gratification he gets from working in a pharmacy, “The most fulfilling aspect of my career is being able to help patients and increase their quality of life in a significant way. This field is very interesting as healthcare is constantly changing and new and better treatments emerge almost daily. It is a constant learning environment. I encourage people to enter this field based primarily on my own experiences. I have loved what I do from the day I first entered this field. In addition, it is important to note that the role of the pharmacy technician is constantly expanding.”

Charles Hunt has worked in many areas of pharmacy including retail, hospital, long-term care and academia. He is also notices the increasing demand for pharmacy technicians. As our population ages and the use of medications increases, there will always be a place for a pharmacy technician. If you are interested in learning more about pursuing Pharmacy Technician Certification visit ColumbusState.edu/CE or call 706.507.8070 for more information. If you would like to take a closer look at this type of career, visit http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos325.htm.

-Kindra Hunter

Day, Jennifer C. “Population Profile of the United States.” Census Bureau Home Page. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. <http://www.census.gov/population/www/pop-profile/natproj.html>.

“Pharmacy Technicians and Aides.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 17 Dec. 2009. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos325.htm>.

Customers Are Waiting to See Your Business Online

If you don’t have a website for your business yet, you are missing out on potential revenue! Today everyone is online and constantly connected. According to our Create Your Own Website with Google Sites instructor, John Wright, “The internet is the best form of advertising out there. With all the technological advances in cell phones and computers everyone is online thus businesses should be.” The opportunity you seek might not necessarily be around the corner; it might be on the World Wide Web.

Unlike traditional brick and mortar businesses, which are typically limited to customers within a certain geographic area; an online business is exposed to everyone with internet access. Just imagine the amount of potential customers you could have. Wright also noted, “Any business out there has increased their profit and productivity by creating their own webpage.” This is true simply because there are more people to sell to. Even if you run a business that offers a service instead of a product, you still need a website. For example, a daycare for children that displays rates and shows pictures of its facility on their webpage will get more responses versus a daycare with only phone number. The difference is people are able to make a personal connection with your business with little effort.

Some business owners may think it will be too difficult or expensive to create a website. Fortunately, this isn’t true. Google Sites is a prime example of a system that easily allows you to put together a website for any type of business. To learn more about Google Sites and how to run your webpage with little to no cost, sign up for John Wright’s Create Your Own Website with Google Sites class. Discover the difference it can make in your business. For more information visit ColumbusState.edu/CE or call 706.507.8070.

Debbie Blake-Knox speaks out on How to Fight Stress

I worked at Duke University Medical Center through the 1990’s in a variety of wellness settings such as aquatic therapy and exercise, personal training in the gym and pool, pre and post rehab clinics etc, before starting my own private practice. My works in the wellness industry progressed from the pool and the gym to studying Watsu, a form of aquatic bodywork, and then massage school. Both massage school curriculums were based on mind, body and spirit curriculums and my curiosity about holistic health, energy healing and emotional wellness continued to grow. Since moving to Columbus in 2003, I have had the chance to study Reiki energy work and Clinical Aromatherapy. I also instruct wellness classes at Continuing Education.

If there is one factor in one’s personal wellness plan that doesn’t get enough respect – it is STRESS! Everyone’s definition will vary and few people take it seriously! Most people are not consciously aware that when we are stressed we become less resistant to all kinds of illnesses that affect our bodies, emotions and minds. We don’t give ourselves “time” and “space” to nurture and look after ourselves. In my class, Circle of Grace, we will look at how to create the time and space to respect our physical and emotional self, even if it is a few moments at a time. Each individual needs to create their own unique circle using the resources available to them and to recognize that their circle will change as they do.

Everyone tries to seek stress-reducing activities that work for them such as exercise, quiet time, vacations or a long soak in the tub. If you pick up any health, fitness or women’s magazine you will find an article highlighting the benefits of the latest stress-reducing activity. I advocate a more direct approach; identify the root cause and seek a treatment that will target the cause. As a massage therapist, stress, stress related illnesses, and injuries are the number one reason that clients seek my services.

Aromatherapy is a very effective and affordable method of reducing stress. The use of essential oils for physical and emotional health has been practiced world-wide for centuries and is gaining in popularity here in the USA. Essential oils are effective because the “scent” is absorbed in to the limbic system of the body through the olfactory system in our nose, and in an instant, the scent will start to affect us physically and emotionally. Learning about essential oils is fun! Join us for Aromatherapy Bingo, a one night girl’s night out class that offers you a chance to learn more about essential oils. Sample a wide variety of essential oils and win great prizes! If you are curious to know more or have specific areas of interest, the two night introduction to aromatherapy class gives you a lot of information to work with and a chance to experiment with mixing and blending products for your own wellness!

For more information on upcoming stress-reducing classes call 706.507.8070 or visit ColumbusState.edu/CE

-Debbie Blake-Knox

Discover Something New at Continuing Education’s Open House

On September 8^th make plans to come and visit Continuing Education for our open house event where you will get to see everything we have to offer this fall. Have you been waiting for change, but you are not sure where to look? This is a great place to start your search. We have what you need, from new hobby to a new career; we can teach you how to do it.

We’ll be hosting multiple free information sessions on our certificate programs. These include:

Digital Photography Certificate
Homeland Security for the Private Sector Certificate
Medical Coding & Billing Certificate
Paralegal Studies Certificate
Project Management Certificate
Sewing Certificate
Visual Arts Certificate
Cake Decorating Certificate

The PhotoShow Live v. 5.0

 You will also have the opportunity to preview our fall 2011 classes. If you are a regular student at Continuing Education, you might be interested in our new classes this season such as Italian for Travelers and What’s in Your Family Tree? Genealogy Workshop. You can check out all the new classes in our fall 2011 catalog. Remember that we offer lots of kid’s classes during the fall as well. There will be a meet and greet with the instructors and staff to answer any questions about classes that you would like to attend. We are also giving you 10% off of tuition (some restrictions apply) if you register during the open house. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.ColumbusState.edu/CE. Call us at 706.507.8070. Can’t wait to see you there!

-Kindra Hunter