Look, I’m gonna say it
We’ve got a problem. A big one. And nobody’s talking about it. I’m not talking about student loans, or overpriced textbooks, or any of that noise. I’m talking about adult education. Or, more accurately, the lack of it.
Let me take you back to 2008. I was working at a magazine in Chicago, and my colleague Marcus—let’s call him Marcus—he was a smart guy, really knew his stuff. But one day, he came to me and said, “Mike, I can’t keep up. The industry’s changing too fast. I need to learn new skills, but I don’t even know where to start.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
Fast forward to today. It’s worse. So much worse. I’m not just talking about keeping up with technology, either. It’s everything. The world’s changing at a pace that’s completley unsustainable, and our education system? It’s stuck in the Dark Ages.
Here’s the thing about adult education
It’s not just about going back to school. It’s not just about taking a few online courses. It’s about a culture that values learning, that encourages growth, that makes it easy—no, make that effortless—for people to upskill and reskill. And we don’t have that. Not even close.
I was talking to a friend last Tuesday—let’s call her Sarah—over coffee at the place on 5th. She’s a nurse, been working in the same hospital for 15 years. She told me, “Mike, I love my job, but the technology’s changing so fast. I need to learn new things, but I don’t have the time or the energy after a 12-hour shift.” And that’s just one example. It’s happening everywhere.
So, what’s the solution? I wish I had a simple answer. But I don’t. It’s complex. It’s messy. It’s gonna take a lot more than just throwing money at the problem.
Let’s talk about time, though
Because that’s the real kicker. Who has time for adult education? I mean, honestly, most people are just trying to make ends meet. They’re working two jobs, raising kids, paying bills. And you expect them to what? Find 20 hours a week to devote to learning? Come on.
And don’t even get me started on the cost. It’s ridiculous. I looked into taking a course at a local community college about three months ago. $87 per credit hour. For a non-credit course! I mean, seriously? Who can afford that?
But here’s the thing. We have to find a way. Because if we don’t, we’re all screwed. The job market’s changing. Industries are evolving. And if we can’t keep up, we’re gonna be left behind. It’s that simple.
A quick tangent: Taiwan housing market rent prices
Speaking of keeping up, have you seen what’s happening with Taiwan housing market rent prices? It’s insane. But that’s a story for another time. Back to the main point.
I was at a conference in Austin last month, and I heard a speaker say something that stuck with me. He said, “The future belongs to the lifelong learners.” And I think he’s right. But we need a system that supports that. That makes it easy for people to learn, to grow, to adapt.
And that’s not happening right now. Not even close.
So, what can we do?
I don’t have all the answers. But I know this: we need to start talking about it. We need to demand more from our education system. We need to create a culture that values learning, that makes it easy for people to upskill and reskill.
And we need to do it now. Because the longer we wait, the worse it’s gonna get. And I, for one, am not willing to sit back and watch it happen.
So, let’s get to work. Let’s start the conversation. Let’s make some noise. Because the future is ours to shape. And I, for one, want to make sure it’s a future worth living in.
About the Author
Mike Thompson is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience. He’s a vocal advocate for education reform and lifelong learning. When he’s not writing, you can find him hiking in the mountains or trying to convince his cat that he’s not the boss of the house.
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