ECON 101: When a Bad Economy Rules, Go to School

Posted on October 20, 2008 by Barbara Macaulay

UMassOnline Chief Academic Officer Barbara Macaulay

According to this report, a lot of smart people have figured out one of the best things to do in a terrible economy. They’re going to school. While this story is focused on what’s happening in higher education in Washington State, the national statistics provided in the story tend to confirm this is a national trend. Past trends show that continuing education generally does well in a challenging economy. This seems counterintuitive but indeed underscores the value of proactive steps toward building—or re-building—the future.

Depressed, worried, fretful, fearful of the future of our national and international economies? Me, too. But while all of these negative forces seem to be swirling around, taking courses and working toward a certificate or degree just may be the way to prepare for a time when the world rights itself again.

Comments

One Response to “ECON 101: When a Bad Economy Rules, Go to School”

Mark Gillard on October 21st, 2008 4:31 pm

Barbara,

Thanks for sharing the report.

Great post and I could not agree more! What better way to combat all the negativity than to do something positive for yourself and for your self-esteem.

Although the news seems grim, we’ve been through tough economic times before and got through; and we’ll get through this one. Getting a degree will make you that much more prepared when we come out on the other side of this.

Mark G.

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