Now that so much information is available on the internet, this question arises more and more frequently.

Why go to university? Why pay all that money to learn things you could learn on your own using resources available on the internet and in public libraries.

Or, on a smaller scale, why take a class like the one Julie and I are offering. Couldn’t you just do this stuff yourself? Perhaps with the aid of a good book that takes you through the process?

If the main thing you got from a class was content, then there would be no reason to take one. But there are lots of other things a class provides.

Today I want to talk about another aspect of community.

A class is more than the teacher

When you are learning something like Conscious Career strategies there are lots of things you have to discover for yourself.

It’s hard to articulate what you are good at, for example, because those skills tend to feel natural to you. You forget that they are skills and that not everyone can do that.

And there are almost infinite possibilities out there. While you may think your neighbour’s job is boring, one of your classmates might think it’s the most amazing possibility they never even knew existed. You might think the same about their cousin’s field.

We all bring different knowledge to the class.

So why not a support group instead?

That’s a great idea. And some people will find working together in a self-organized group a good alternative to working alone with a book, or taking a class.

A class isn’t quite the same.

You are learning new strategies for doing this work. And the teacher(s) provide(s) a level of knowledge your classmates might not have. Along with facilitation, structure, etc.

Ideally, a class pulls together expertise and learner-centred inquiry in interesting ways.

If a class would help you…

Have a look on my website for the classes and coaching services I offer, with a variety of group settings.

What career knowledge will you bring?