Through the Eastern Washington University (EWU) online Master of Education (M.Ed.) – Adult Education program, graduates gain skills to implement effective adult learning programs that support students’ professional and career goals. EWU’s program prepares graduates to teach adults in a number of settings and encourage adult students to pursue various potential career pathways.
The Department of Defense Education Activity defines career and technical education (CTE) as “an education pathway that provides students with the academic, technical, and real world knowledge, skills and experience they need to be prepared for a variety of career options.” While often implemented at the middle and high school levels, more professionals in the field are blending CTE values with adult education.
The National Skills Coalition notes a recent project that weaved adult education with CTE efforts in Texas. Its success informs the opportunity for the field of adult education to implement CTE strategies in adult learning spaces. While EWU’s program is not a CTE program, its adult-focused, career-centered approach mirrors CTE’s goals so that graduates in their future careers can implement effective, career-focused teaching as higher education instructors, training managers, military instructors, training and development specialists, corporate trainers and GED/EDL instructors.
Community Collaboration in Career Development
Career and technical education refers to coursework that provides students with both rigorous academic content and technical knowledge that prepares them for further educational certificates or a direct pathway to a profession, according to the 2018 federal law that set new standards for career and technical education programs. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act also states that students should be prepared for high-wage, in-demand industry sectors and occupations.
In addition, it notes that advanced degree programs should try to provide students with a recognized postsecondary credential, certificate or associate degree so they can immediately find work in their chosen profession. Career exploration opportunities in high school or the middle grades are crucial to accomplishing this goal, according to federal law. This means graduates of EWU’s program who work in middle and high school can apply CTE strategies to improve students’ skills and future job prospects.
Innovative technology and artificial intelligence have drastically altered the skill set necessary to succeed as both a blue-collar factory worker and a white-collar office employee, according to a New York Times article. To succeed, the next generation of students must develop expertise that matches the job market and form a supportive network to help them navigate the rapidly evolving U.S. economy.
Educators play a key role in connecting students of all ages to communities and professionals in industries like healthcare, technology, agriculture and other rapidly growing business sectors, according to iCEV. Often, the best places to look for opportunities are where students already interact with their communities. For example, if students are involved with volunteer organizations — especially career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) — they are already obtaining employability skills through hands-on experience. Examples of CTSOs include Business Professionals of America, DECA, Future Farmers of America (FFA), HOSA-Future Health Professionals and Technology Student Association (TSA).
Unlocking Career Opportunities with Community Engagement
Beyond connecting with student organizations and the professionals they already engage with, educators can create a community asset map that highlights local businesses, higher education partners, nonprofits with relationships to the schools and key community leaders who may be willing to help, according to Edutopia. Educational leaders can also explore which courses could most benefit from a live demonstration inside a mechanic’s garage or a live, student-led interview with a software engineer.
Edutopia has tips for applying community engagement to support career preparation. It suggests sorting the list of potential community engagement options into three lift buckets:
- Mild: easy-entry projects that can include field trips, virtual speakers or in-person workshops in the classroom
- Medium: more intensive projects that include feedback sessions on student work and one-on-one mentorship
- Heavy: include work-based learning courses for students, multi-day fieldwork excursions and final capstone projects where students get to see their next skills come into focus
Additionally, student preparation may be the unsung hero of the CTE experience. If students research the community partner and develop interview questions or other materials in advance, they have a better chance of leaving the excursion or mentorship with lessons for their future careers.
Educational leaders who help learners with career preparation should also find ways to deepen their connections to the local business community by forming an advisory council of professionals for the program and attending local chamber of commerce and professional networking events, according to SmartBrief. Gaining direct feedback from employers on what jobs are growing and what skills students need is crucial to a program’s long-term sustainability.
EWU’s online M.Ed. – Adult Education program emphasizes the value of community engagement for career success. Faculty who are experts in their respective fields teach EWU’s program courses, and the program includes a 120-hour internship with a mentor related to students’ professional interests. Its Current Issues in Education course addresses common challenges in the education field, including community-centered school and academic freedom.
Foster Learners’ Professional Growth with Eastern Washington University
Through EWU’s online M.Ed. – Adult Education program, educators gain a foundation for understanding the adult learner, skills to teach the adult learner and career-focused strategies (like CTE methods) to help learners reach their career potential. Upon graduation, students in EWU’s program are ready to pursue roles in postsecondary education and community colleges, vocational programs, GED programs, adult basic skills programs, military training and more.
Learn more about Eastern Washington University’s online Master of Education – Adult Education program.
