Lifelong learning is the new reality for American workers, especially those in the technical fields, but most of us haven’t caught up to that way of thinking. I’m here to say we can’t afford not to any longer. Advances in technology, the role of automation, changing expectations of employees to employers and vice-versa, and longer lifespans mean gone are the days when one graduated from high school, earned a degree, closed the schoolbooks for good, and launched a career.

CNBC recently reported that around 65 percent of all jobs in the United States will require some post-secondary education by 2020. What’s more, we’re living longer. An 18-year-old today has a 50% chance of living past 100. What is that going to mean for the role of education in their lives when they may be working until age 85? Today, and for the foreseeable future, planning for lifelong learning is a must, and we’re seeing non-traditional educational options (think professional certificate programs, boot camps and trade schools) help workers cultivate skills affordably and on their own time.

That’s why those of us in continuing education are working to help people understand that a 60-year curriculum supports a 100-year life. For example, at the University of Washington Continuum College, our Professional & Continuing Education division provides busy working adults with a portfolio of professional certificates called Career Accelerator. These select certificates focus on the most in-demand job areas like project management, data science, data analytics, Python programming, and machine learning, and we offer them in four formats: classroom, online, accelerated, and self-paced.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I can feel my career beginning to stall,” or “I’m worried I’m about to become obsolete as younger generations enter the workplace with skills I don’t have,” but the idea of finding the time to be a student again seems daunting. If so, here’s where I suggest you start:

1. Consider the success stories of other adult students. Perhaps a particular student’s path to a certificate will be relatable or spark an idea.
2. Pursue programs that are flexible and related to your work. Certificate programs can round out a resume to make you more competitive to land your dream job or give you security in your current role. The best programs are flexible and fast (usually six to nine months) and are often available online in addition to face-to-face.
3. Seek out continuing ed providers that have Enrollment Services teams. They will help you think through the options and ask the right questions to set you up for success. Beyond program-specific questions, find out what resources will be available after you’ve completed the program. If it’s a university provider, do they consider their certificate program graduates as alumni? Are certificate program graduates invited to take part in workshops and other alumni-centered networking events? Top-notch continuing education programs will extend benefits like this to their continuing ed students.

My challenge to Washington’s tech professionals is to stop thinking of school in a “season” and start thinking of school and learning as ongoing. And those of us in higher ed will continue innovating new ways to open up access to lifelong learning that will make you relevant and competitive in the career you have today, or help you land your dream job tomorrow.