The Benefits of Continuing Education: How Upskilling Opens New Career Opportunities

Continuing education and professional certificate programs have become one of the most reliable ways for working adults to stay competitive in today’s rapidly changing job market. For UNE alumni and adult professionals looking to upskill, expand career opportunities, or strengthen long-term career mobility, high-quality online continuing education courses, trainings, and certificates can provide an exceptional return on investment.

UNE Online’s professional development and continuing education programs are designed specifically for busy, career-focused adult learners. Whether you want to advance in your current role, prepare for a career shift, or gain industry-relevant skills, these programs can help you move forward with confidence.

Explore available programs: UNE Online Continuing Education

1. Continuing Education Supports Career Advancement and Mobility

For many adult learners, their goal isn’t just new opportunities—it’s upward mobility or specialization within their current field.

Career advancement requires skills that demonstrate initiative, leadership, and up-to-date industry knowledge. Continuing education is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate to employers that you’re ready for that next level.
By completing a UNE Online certificate, training, or workshop, you gain:

• Advanced skills that strengthen your qualifications: Learn on your own time with an on demand social work workshop that empowers learners to delve into specific social work topics, expanding their knowledge and skill set on their terms.
• Confidence to take on leadership roles and responsibilities: Become a leader in your organization and hone your leadership skills on important topics including; Navigating Crucial and Difficult Conversations, Compassionate Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and Motivational Leadership.
• A broader depth of knowledge on key issues or topics: Develop skills necessary to provide compassionate support and guidance with our End-of-Life Doula or End-of-Life-Pet Doula certificate programs
• Greater long-term career mobility opportunities: Earning a professional certificate in your area of expertise can help set you apart and open new doors.

Upskilling signals to employers that you’re committed to growth and that you’re prepared for more strategic, impactful roles.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check with your employer for potential professional development initiatives or reimbursement opportunities that may be available. Discuss your desire to upskill with your colleagues or supervisor and seek their support. Consider taking a course alongside a co-worker and learn together.

Identify gaps in your personal level of experience or organizational structure that could benefit from additional development or training. Professional development benefits not only the individuals involved, but the organization as a whole, and many employers will embrace the benefits of upskilling and support those endeavors.

2. Continuing Education Offers a Strong Return on Investment

Choosing to invest in professional growth pays off, and continuing education consistently delivers a clear pathway to career mobility and success.

UNE Online’s certificate programs and professional training courses help you:

• Increase your earning potential. Advance your career in physical therapy and deepen your expertise in orthopedic care with UNE Online’s Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Exam Prep Course.
• Sharpen your skill set and stay up-to-date with the latest industry topics and trends. Our Leadership Series enhances essential skills for today’s dynamic professional environment.
• Stay competitive in evolving industries. Continuing education for nurses, practitioners, and healthcare professionals allows them to develop new skill sets to apply to their practice and improve patient outcomes. Our Telemedicine Certificate offers healthcare professionals the opportunity to develop the expertise required to effectively navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of virtual healthcare delivery.
• Bolster your credentials or earn CEU’s. Obtaining CEU’s for social workers help professionals stay up-to-date with current best practices and ethical standards. Social workers may consider exploring important and earning affordable CEU’s on relevant topics such as our Intimate Partner Violence Training Certificate.
• Gain specialized skills aligned with workforce development needs. Educators may consider obtaining an Instructional Design certificate, where participants will acquire expertise in various areas, including backward design, ensuring accessibility in online content and activities, crafting interactive learning experiences, and more.

UNE’s programs cater to a variety of interests and fields, ranging from healthcare and business to social work and education. Because UNE’s courses are designed specifically for working adults, you can apply what you learn immediately. This makes the investment practical, relevant, and quickly valuable—both for your resume and your day-to-day job functions and performance.

3. Upskilling Helps You Access New Career Opportunities

Industries are changing faster than ever. Employers are prioritizing candidates with up-to-date training, knowledge, and demonstrated professional development that prepares them for new challenges.

UNE Online’s continuing education programs support career growth by helping you:

• Expand your horizons without restarting your career. Continuing education allows for growth and development in your current role.
• Transition to specialized or in-demand roles. Whether you’re studying for board certification or are seeking leadership skills to transition to a managerial role, our programs offer the skills you need to stay competitive and meet workforce demands.
• Build the credentials and experience today’s employers desire or expect. Today’s employers and recruiters value continued professional development and growth throughout your career.
• Strengthen your resume with a certificate of completion. All of our professional certificate programs offer a certificate of completion. Many offerings also lead to earned contact hours or CEU’s.

If you’re considering a career pivot, seeking advancement opportunities, or simply exploring what’s next, these programs give you the knowledge and confidence to take your next step.

4. Flexible Programs Designed for Working Adults

UNE Online understands the realities of adult learners—balancing full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and professional goals. That’s why all courses are designed to be:

• Fully online and asynchronous
• Flexible and self-paced, with multiple start dates
• Aligned with current industry needs
• Accessible for learners at every stage of their career

From professional development continuing education courses to comprehensive certificates, UNE offers options that support your goals without interrupting your life.

UNE Online has many opportunities in a variety of subject areas to support your professional development needs including:

End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate: Learn to provide compassionate end-of-life care to individuals and their families (Available in Spanish). Additional optional add on modules include: Building a Deathcare Practice and Dementia-Informed Deathcare: Tools for Presence and Practice.

End-of-Life Pet Doula Professional Certificate: Learn the skills needed to deliver practical, compassionate, informed, and supportive care for pets and their families as they approach the end-of-life.

Intimate Partner Violence Training Certificate: Develop a comprehensive understanding of domestic violence in intimate relationships, including its dynamics, context, and perpetrators.

Introduction to Animal Behavior Certificate: Designed to provide an in-depth exploration of animal behavior and welfare. Students will learn to interpret animal body language and communication signals, applying this knowledge to understand and manage various animal behaviors.

Instructional Design Certificate: Aimed to provide participants with the skills required to design, create, build online learning experiences, and teach online.

Leadership Series Certificate(s): Designed to equip participants with the expertise needed to excel in leadership roles and effectively navigate complex communication challenges.

Telemedicine Certificate: Designed to provide foundational knowledge in telehealth for both students entering healthcare and current healthcare providers

Pelvic Health Courses: A transformative journey to empower mothers with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve optimal pelvic health.

Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Exam Prep: Ideal for practicing physical therapists and recent graduates, this program provides the structure, expert guidance, and resources you need to prepare for board certification with confidence.

Social Work Workshops: On-demand workshops on a variety of important social work topics and trends.

Final Thoughts

Continuing education is more than completing a course, workshop, or training. It’s an investment in your long-term success. Whether you want to grow in your current role, expand your skill set, or transition into a new field, UNE’s continuing education programs provide the clarity, structure, and support you need.

With measurable return on investment, strong career advancement potential, and flexible formats designed for working adults, UNE Online is an excellent place to begin your next chapter. With an emphasis on affordability, these offerings will help working professionals and their employers meet workforce needs.

UNE Alumni receive a discount on all continuing education certificates and courses offered through UNE Online. Use code ALUM25 at registration for 25% off.

If you’re ready to explore your options, start with the full list of programs: UNE Online Continuing Education