Five Professional Development Observations from 2015

As we leap over the threshold from 2015 to 2016, we enter into a new year of possibilities; these opportunities are revealed from our accomplishments of 2015. Here are our top five and what they reveal for 2016. 

1. UNF Continuing Education served over 6,000 individuals in 2015, seeing the greatest training growth in healthcare, logistics, Lean Six Sigma, quality improvement and project management. Jacksonville stays on track with the nation, representing growth in these industries as business growth in general surges ahead for 2016.


2. Professional development skills training saw an increase from last year. Professional development includes software, supervisory, time management, negotiating and other soft skills training which provide solid results. When businesses provide effective and affordable training solutions, they see the benefits and invest in their employees. For 2016, we are keeping training solutions affordable, expanding our online programs and building on our business partnerships for customized training solutions.


3. The trend for certifications continues to grow. Our students earned the following certifications: Transportation & Logistics, Health & Wellness Coach, Instructional Systems Design, Paralegal, Lean Six Sigma and Warehouse Associate. Companies are seeking out individuals with high-level specialty knowledge. Niche-knowledge experts are relied upon to give companies a competitive edge over competitors slow to evolve to the individual-driven culture we see today. 


4. Leadership development training increased in 2015. The economic downturn and the slow recovery were a harsh wake up calls for many businesses. Our Leadership Development Program provided the perfect mix of traditional and proven leadership practices with progressive, idea-generating innovation for providing real solutions to business’ biggest challenges.


5. We strive to better serve those who have served us – our veterans. Funding is available for qualifying veterans for many of our programs. To help veterans take full advantage of the education benefits they have earned, UNF Continuing Education has a Veteran Education benefit specialist. Lori Frederick has been approved by the Veterans Administration to help veterans complete the required paperwork to certify their course enrollments. We have seen how our certification programs have helped ease the transition from military to civilian life. Contact Lori to learn more.

We look forward to assisting you with your 2016 training and consulting needs. Let’s get started. 

Visit us online, www.unf.edu/ce, select Course by Subject from the Quick Links on the right or view the information-packed pages using the menu on the left. Call our fantastic Customer Care Team at (904) 620-4200 or e-mail us at unfce@unf.edu. 

Seasons of Change: Education, Career and Life

As fall unfolds, we here at Continuing Education are struck by the many facets of change which take place in life. Whether it’s a sometimes not so simple time shift due to Daylight Savings or a brave leap into a new career objective, change is as inevitable as the passage of time itself. Dealing with these metamorphoses is another matter. According to a recent article in the New York Times, "In the field of positive psychology, the hedonic treadmill is the idea that people have a set point of happiness throughout the course of their lives and are able to return to it from major positive or negative changes or events. Thus, while some people eagerly jump into a new pile of foliage, ready to tackle the new situation with great gusto, others may shuffle a few leaves around and hesitantly begin to adjust to the new status quo."

Despite some common changes which are experienced throughout the journey of life, it seems we are each capable of getting back to our happiness level. To aid in the bounce back to bliss, we've identified a UNFCE counterpart to each type of change, so read on to discover how we can help navigate the inevitable changes of life.

Fall KickOff Isn't Just for Football

If you’ve ever attended a football game, then you know what happens immediately after the singing of the national anthem. All of the pregame, anticipation and preparation culminates in that one glorious act: the kickoff! Fans cheer and gaze in unison as that small object soars through the air and breaths are held as the receiver catches the ball with a thud and takes off running. In that one moment anything can happen, both sides have an equal chance of a winning outcome and hopes are high, both on and off the field. It’s electric and exciting!

We are feeling the same way about our new fall term! We’ve been pregaming and preparing all summer to bring you an exciting fall season of lifelong learning opportunities to enhance your personal and professional journeys. Just as your favorite football team might be unveiling new uniforms, new coaches and kickoff events to make your participation more enjoyable, we have new things to share with you too. 

Here are five things to look forward to as our fall term kicks off on September 1:

Three Ways to Extend Your Summer

by +Sonja Rocha 

Just because summer is ending soon and kids are back to school, you don't have to fall back into the dull drum pattern of Work - Home - Sleep - Work - Home - Sleep. Hasn't it been nice to enjoy a slower pace at work and home? The end of summer often has us preparing for the hectic pace of fall with the holiday season close at the heels. We invite you, however, to pause that preparation and consider stretching those summer vibes a bit longer. Here are three ways to take the spirit of summer into fall.