Adult Education: Moving Beyond the GED  

Contributed by Katie Stavick, Nine Star Education & Employment Services

With everything we have all endured during this past year - the devastating pandemic, crushing job losses and furloughs, an unprecedented mental health crisis, just to name a few - many people have been exploring their options for a more secure career moving forward.  

“Where do I begin?” “What resources are available?” “How can I make connections to the training or career I want?” It can be overwhelming, but there is help available through Nine Star Education and Employment Services in Wasilla.

According to the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, adults who have earned their high school diploma or GED will earn thousands of dollars more in their lifetime than adults who don’t have this crucial, career-building education. Nine Star offers GED preparation classes designed to help students prepare for the GED and move forward. Reading, writing, math, science, and social studies are, of course, offered. But what about after the GED? Where can students find assistance moving forward?

Nine Star Wasilla is now proud to offer a Career Readiness Course! This 12-week course is designed to support students in obtaining, retaining, and advancing on the job. The program begins with an assessment of your current skills, interests and work values, career exploration, and training options to help move forward. We also work with you to create goals, assist with job search training, resume writing, interviewing, developing positive work habits and attitudes, education exploration, and stress relief.

Nine Star Education and Employment Services continues to offer GED preparation classes through distance education. And something new for the summer, Nine Star Wasilla is presenting “Summer Intensive Courses”.

Don’t let the title fool you. These courses are designed to keep students studying while also having the opportunity to enjoy the Alaskan summers we all love! Course offerings include Creative Writing Workshop, Greek Mythology, Book Club and the Vietnam War, with more course titles coming soon.

Contact Nine Star to learn more about GED preparation, career readiness, and summer intensives at (907) 373-7833. Don’t wait - you have your whole career ahead of you!