Hi everyone and thanks for letting me join the 300 words group!  I write about the experience of going back to school as an adult learner.  When I first went to college there was one “old” guy, just back from Vietnam, in my class.  He was 27.  The Dean actually cautioned us first-year students to be polite but associate with our age peers.  Who knew what that old guy was thinking.  Times have changed.

                Since the economy tanked, higher educational institutions have experienced unprecedented growth.  Literally millions of individuals were left wondering where and how to find new employment.   Today, by some statistics 85% of the higher ed population is of non-traditional  age, defined as 25 and up.  Motivation varies from fulfilling a lifelong dream to finding new employment in order to continue living indoors.  Add in the mix that during the past decade society moved firmly to a knowledge-based society where what you know and how you think may be valued higher than mastery of a particular physical skill.  And when a hands-on skill is involved, evidence of relevant intellectual prowess (to support decision making, design or team work) may separate the hired from the rejected. 

                And, unlike some politically-charged topics, everyone seems to care.  Community colleges are teaching overflow classes in temporary facilities.  Legislators are championing retraining programs and grant funds.  Policy and philanthropic institutions are writing grant proposals and programs as fast as they can type.  And ironically, businesses are beginning to worry about finding the right employees when the predicted shortage of employees hits in a few years. 

                This is my passion.  This is my topic.  To see clips from various resources as I find them (including Lemonade), go to my blog at http://backtoschoolforgrownups.com.  For a monthly news report (or send your query to  Dear Dr. Laura), sign up for the Back To School for Grownups newsletter.  To get a play-by-play report as I take this wild ride, read my posts at 300 words.   Thanks fellow writers!