From accounting and AutoCAD to wedding photography and welding, Collin College’s Continuing Education courses allow students to tailor their education to meet their needs, whether that means learning new employment-related skills or taking classes for self-improvement.
“If you look at our student population, you’ll see so many unique stories and reasons for seeking out our classes,” said Karen Musa, executive dean over Continuing Education. “Some of our students are looking to upskill for their current career or to make the move to a different career. Others are taking courses for fun or to learn something new about a hobby that they love.”
Courses are available as standalone educational units or taken in a series which dives deeper into a subject and often prepares the student for certification testing. The series are common in health sciences, business, and technology. Because the courses are not full-semester commitments, they tend to be easier for employed people to fit into their schedules.
Rosa Valentin has taken several Continuing Education classes at Collin College, starting with English as a Second Language (ESL) and the Human Resources Management Certificate Series. She is currently working on the Project Management Certificate Series.
“The classes have significantly impacted my personal and professional life, since they allowed me to develop new skills and expand my knowledge so that I can be more productive, innovative, and competitive in the workforce,” Valentin said.
The classes were very engaging, Valentin added, noting that the instructors were very motivational and encouraged their students to participate heartily in the classes.
“The instructors are very knowledgeable and provide guidance when needed,” she said. “From a student experience standpoint, it has been great.”
The instructors are experts in their subjects in many cases because they have practical experience in those subject areas.
Misty Hoyt, owner of Photography by Misty and the Plano Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year, has been an instructor with Collin College Continuing Education for five years. She teaches several courses, including Digital Photography Basics, Intermediate Digital Photography, Foundations of Photography, and How to Build a Photography Business.
Hoyt said the majority of her students love the art of photography but are frustrated by their limitations prior to coming to her classes. Learning hands-on from someone with years of experience opens a new world for her students and their art.
“It is a beautiful process to learn something new and become more educated in general,” Hoyt said. “When it comes to a subject like photography, the creative process is so exciting. It is also less frustrating when you have a better understanding of the ground rules. That’s when you can really start to take creative liberties.”
Hoyt said she hopes her students fall deeper in love with photography and can achieve their photographic goals while also gaining a better understanding of their subjects. And, if they are interested, they can learn how to build a sustainable and profitable business that benefits both their clients and the industry as a whole.
Learn more about everything that Continuing Education has to offer at www.collin.edu/ce.