Continuing education options?

I am in the early stages of planning on possible retirement in Vegas, and was wondering what might be available for pursuing courses in a number of subjects. My interests include, but are not limited to, photography, computers, languages, writing, even the medical field. Are there any community college options in the area? Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks, Wes

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_of_Southern_Nevada

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_State_College

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nevada,_Las_Vegas

 

Looks like a good list to start. I have a buddy in Henderson who is very interested in that sort of thing. I'll ask him for some thoughts and get back to you.

 

Cool to see someone looking ahead and not wanting to devote retirement eternity to being hunched over a bingo board in a smoke-filled casino or planning out the new wardrobe of Bermudas and black knee-socks for the many days to be spent out on the course.

Quick story on my writing career: My degree is in the social sciences, and I was supposed to become a professor. I veered somewhat quickly from grad school and went into newspapers (editorial side), politics and corporate life, and the common denominator in all was communication. I did not set out to be a communicator, just as I never intended to be a writer, but my schooling, background, interests and aptitude conspired to give me at least some skill at the craft. (I'm a freelance golf, travel and lifestyle writer, btw.)

OK, OK, to the quick part: Like some naive dreamer, I took a multi-week online travel writing class after, um, leaving corporate life. It didn't teach me how to write, but I learned enough of the nuts and bolts of how to present myself as a writer to potential clients. What I picked up in those few weeks would've been covered in a flash in J-school, but I didn't go to J-school. And by god, it worked. That's certainly the exception not the rule.

So you are on the right path. You have interest. You appear to have desire Now hone down your prime attribute(s). Good luck!

 

Thanks for the links. They offered a lot of useful information that will help me regarding future plans. I knew "Someone" would help me out Thanks also to ken2v. Your insight is always useful and your encouragement is infectious. Sharing your personal experience was thoughtful and inspiring. I have lurked on this board for a while and always enjoyed the helpful, congenial nature of everyone that makes it so great.
I would love to hear if anybody here might have some personal experience with some of the colleges listed in the above-mentioned links. Thanks again everyone, Wes

 

Here is what my friend in Henderson said:

"Besides a dozen or so colleges (try google search: colleges in Southern Nevada), The Park and Rec departments in Henderson and Las Vegas sponsor inexpensive courses including music, photography, conversational languages,dance,Karate etc. Also the libraries in Henderson and Clark county have courses and seminars.

"In particular, look at the offerings in UNLV and CSN. I have taken academic courses at both schools (college Spanish, computers, geology ). They are pretty loose when it comes to enrollment - you do not have to be in a formal degree program. UNLV also has continuing ed., programs for "retired" students and on-line courses.
Sometimes if you are not in a program, you might need permission of the instructor.

"For UNLV and CSN you should look into residency requirements for Nevada - tuition is about one third of non-residents. I believe it now takes a year to be a resident of Nevada.
Tuition is $190 undergrad/resident/credit, about $320 for grad/resident/credit add $200 for out of state for undergrad/credit, $300 for grad/credit. CSN is a little cheaper."


Good luck! It is always encouraging for a teacher like me to hear that people want to keep learning.