Life Long Learning

Life-Long Learning
In my opinion, a life-long learner is someone who continually thirsts for and seeks out the opportunities to access knowledge regardless of their status in life. It is one who, despite age, academic achievement, personal and professional achievement, continues to pursue greater understanding of all things of academic, vocational and personal interest to them. Ongoing and self-motivated, life-long learning is the endeavor to develop or further enhance one’s perspective, knowledge base and skill sets.
It is vitally important for anyone striving for excellence in job performance to commit to life-long learning. As time progresses, also do technological advances designed to make practical application of our knowledge. Staying abreast of current ideologies and evidence based practices will ensure that I remain relevant, competitive and proficient in the practice of my profession. Scientific and technological innovation is useless without end-users savvy enough to process, interpret and make practical application of data.
My plan to be a life-long learner includes making use of continuing education programs, formal and informal. There are often courses and seminars offered by higher education institutions for the express purpose of making professionals aware of profound changes in the profession. These types of venues often offer certifications and provide exposure to upcoming practices and policies. Serving as great learning tools as well as networking opportunities, the forum of a continuing education program is one pathway I plan to take for life-long learning.
Columbia Southern University (CSU) is a part of my life-long learning plan. It’s accreditation with the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is a major factor. The DETC accreditation agency, which is acknowledged by U.S. Department of Education, was established in 1926 to ensure conformity to standards in correspondence schools. Public protection from fraud and student assurance of quality is its goal (Sally, 2007). CSU is one of eight DETC accredited institutions offering the terminal degree of my choice online; the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) according to its website found at http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/Degree/Business/Doctor-of-Business-Administration. Also according to the CSU website, Columbia Southern University is also part of the Higher Education Transfer Alliance (HETA). According to the CSU site, this alliance is a collaboration of accredited institutions whose goal is facilitate student mobility through ease in the transfer of credit hours (http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/Partners/Universities). As a service member, I have free access to the courses from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) AU-ABC. The collaboration between CSU and the CCAF ensures that the time and effort that I have put into my classes in not wasted.
My plan for life-long learning also includes professional development through on-the-job training (OJT). Upon completing formal education, in most case, we are equipped with a great deal of theory and ‘broad brush strokes’ regarding the career paths we have chosen. In any profession, the practical and technical application of general knowledge is refined to the specifications or preferences of the employing facility. On the job, one learns a specific way things are done; this may vary from one job site to the next. On-the-job training provides a unique learning experience that reinforces good practices when they are successful and helps to identify poor work practices when they are unsuccessful.
The great thing about learning is that it can take place on an on-going basis. From the formal arena of collegiate class rooms / online courses to our daily interactions with others as well as our environment. I feel confident in my plan. Likewise, I am excited about the prospect of learning new things and embarking on a new career upon completion of my undergraduate studies. My plan for life-long learning will not only ensure that I remain proficient at my job but also secure my position in my career field.

Reference
Sally. (2007, March). DETC Facts. Retrieved Nov24, 2012 from http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/pdf/facts-about-detc Columbia Southern University. Higher Education Transfer Alliance (HETA). Retrieved
Nov24, 2012 from http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/Partners/Universities
Columbia Southern University. Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). Retrieved
Nov24, 2012 from http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/Degree/Business/Doctor-of-Business-Administration