Recap of part 1
Yesterday’s article described some of the inconveniences created by being home to over 100 institutions of higher learning, and what some colleges are doing to be better neighbors to surrounding cities and towns. Today you’ll learn about some unexpected ways to enhance your career, extend medical science, provide opinions on products, and get healthy teeth.
Area colleges benefit more than just students
Boston-area colleges and universities provide abundant opportunities for education and research, but there are some unexpected (and unusual) benefits too. Here are some of them.
- Extensive career development opportunities: Many local colleges offer certificate programs open to everyone. Check out the Harvard Extension School for evening and online classes on all sorts of topics. Learn medical Spanish or get an RN refresher certificate at Boston College’s Continuing Education program, while Tufts’ Lifelong Learning Institute provides the community with book clubs (online and in-person), movie clubs, history clubs, trips, and lunch-and-learn and travel-and-learn opportunities.
- Nifty networking: Hispanic accountants and Black MBAs (among others) can network at Brandeis’ International Business School events, or develop your resume, interviewing and job research skills at Bentley University (free for alumni $25 for everyone else).
- Attend most Boston-area colleges – FREE: Many local colleges are part of the OpenCourseWare movement. Attend classes at UMass, MIT, Harvard, Tufts, or Boston College – online and free! All are included in Open.edu’s Top 50 University Open Courseware Collections.
- Medical research studies: Home to Harvard and Boston University medical schools and affiliated teaching hospitals, medical device firms, and a vibrant biotech sector, Boston has an enormous number of medical research studies. You can participate in a study on anxiety at Boston College’s CARD, get paid for clinical trials, or help Harvard figure out the link between hormones, social relationships and general well-being.
- Reduced cost dental care: Boston’s dental schools offer dental services at lower than average costs. Tufts’ dental school flanks Boston’s Theater District, Harvard provides affordable dental care at its Dental Center, and Tufts Dental School is seeking participants with deep cavities for a research study.
Yes, the influx of students over the next 5 days is a hassle, but without them, Boston wouldn't have these great services!
Check back tomorrow for Part 3: The impact of the economy on education and careers.
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