Education is an opportunity

While I was employed, I wished to take certain courses, but I didn't give them top priority due to my full-time work commitments.

Upon losing my job, I had ample free time but lacked the financial means to pursue my interests. Nonetheless, this year, I managed to participate in most of the courses I was keen on, thanks to the plethora of resources accessible to individuals seeking self-education and knowledge enrichment.

This spring, I utilized the vocational training fund provided by my union to participate in the comprehensive 8-week course offered by Dale Carnegie, an experience that I found beneficial and enjoyable. Subsequently, in the summer, I became aware of a government initiative that enabled me to enrol in a course at the Continuing Education Institute that had piqued my interest for quite some time. It was there that I completed the course titled Project Management: The First Steps.

Knowing that I could enrol in a course for free through the Labor Office, I checked the available courses and decided to take a five-week Digital Marketing course at NTV Computer and Business School. Additionally, the Labor and Employment Agency occasionally reaches out to offer opportunities for free course participation, allowing me to attend a course I was interested in, such as a 5-day challenge with coach Rúna Magnúsdóttir.

Participating in these courses has taught me two valuable lessons. Firstly, they have enabled me to identify my true interests. While I was employed, I often pondered whether I should pursue further studies in areas like project management, digital marketing, coaching, or other fields. However, through these courses, I no longer need to speculate. They have provided me with insights into these subjects, helping me distinguish what captivates me and what does not. This process serves as a useful elimination technique and helps me refine my focus.

Secondly, although the courses I am enrolled in, particularly the ones that focus on personal skills, do not introduce me to new knowledge, they serve as a valuable reminder of my priorities in life and what brings me happiness. Participating in these courses helps me gain a better understanding of myself and motivates me to pursue what truly matters to me. I find it encouraging to see that my peers in these courses share similar aspirations, as we all strive to discover our identities and achieve our dreams.

I found the most recent course I completed on me as a brand particularly beneficial in helping me remember my core aspirations. The practical tasks assigned by the coach were straightforward yet effective in realigning my focus and reinforcing my desired qualities: authenticity, honesty, and courage. This is my unique selling point - the trait that sets me apart - as I strive to boldly express my true self and share my genuine experiences, thoughts, and emotions, with the intention of inspiring others to do the same.

Following my six-month unemployment period, I will proceed to university studies in January with the support of the Labor and Employment Agency's Learning is an Opportunity initiative. This program allows me to dedicate a semester to studying while on unemployment benefits. When the opportunity arose, I eagerly applied for a web media program at the University of Iceland, which I was fortunate to be accepted into. I am committed to seizing every chance to further my education and personal development throughout my life, as one never knows where it may ultimately lead.