Did you know that the half-life of a college degree is three to five years today? William Hine, Ed.D., says, "If you're not retooling or gaining new knowledge, your education is almost obsolete, especially in the sciences, health, and technology. Those who aren't committed to lifelong learning are unlikely to move ahead in their careers."

Companies are demanding "knowledge workers" who can produce new designs and concepts instead of simply following standard operating procedures and producing familiar products. This demands the most up-to-date skills obtained through further education and training. Continuing education is often the key to staying current in a rapidly changing job market. By developing a love for lifelong learning, you can boost your earning power and make your skills more marketable, giving you a competitive edge in today's cutthroat corporate world.

Thanks to technology and innovative college programs, you don't have to sit in a traditional classroom during valuable work hours to continue learning today.

Your options include:

   •  Distance Learning--where the colleges come to you instead of the other way around.

   •  Corporate Universities--$50 billion is spent by employers every year on training programs. Many companies have teamed with colleges and universities to form consortia to offer classes, degrees, and certificate programs.

   •  Nontraditional Education--night classes and adult-centered colleges like the University of Phoenix, Regents Colleges, and Regis University.

Research has shown that 65 percent of all colleges and universities in the United States were offering their courses over the Internet in 1998, and the number will exceed 80 percent by the year 2001.

With this convenience, there is no longer an excuse for not embracing a philosophy of lifelong learning to better meet the needs of a dynamic global workplace.