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Graduate certificates are postgraduate courses that can help to enhance your career, providing you with new skills and experience to move into different roles, enjoy a career change, or feel more confident in your current role.   Deciding whether a graduate certificate is the right move for you can be challenging, especially if it involves a return to education after a break.

Luckily for you, we are here to help, with five reasons why you should complete a graduate certificate to help you make your decision today.

Understanding the Difference Between a Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma

Before we delve into our reasons, we need to address the distinction between graduate courses, specifically a graduate certificate and a graduate diploma. Both are postgraduate qualifications, sitting above a bachelor’s degree, but below a master’s degree. The biggest difference between them is that a graduate diploma is a larger qualification than a graduate certificate.

A graduate diploma consists of eight units that must be completed to pass the course, whereas a graduate certificate contains only four units, making it faster to complete. A graduate certificate is the perfect option if you are looking to gain foundational knowledge without needing to commit to the length of a graduate diploma. They are also stackable, with many course providers allowing you to progress to a graduate diploma if you wish, by transferring your completed four units, thereby reducing the length of time it takes to complete your graduate diploma. It is worth remembering this difference when looking for your postgraduate course and choosing the right option for you.

Now, let’s move on to the reasons why you should complete your graduate certificate!

1.   You Can Balance Work and Study

Graduate certificates are an excellent way to balance studying alongside work and your other commitments, so you won’t need to take a career break to gain new knowledge and skills. Many graduate certificates can be completed online, with complete flexibility, allowing you to study at the right time, from anywhere across the country. The flexibility allows you to balance your commitments with studying, without the pressure of attending in-person classes or exams.

Many graduate certificates offer multiple intakes throughout the year, rather than the traditional annual entry points typically found at universities. Course providers, like the University of Canberra, for example, offer entry every three months, so you never need to wait to begin your program.

2.   It Provides a Clear Path to Career Advancement

Graduate certificates offer a shorter timeline than other educational paths, taking several months rather than years to complete. Even when you complete the course part-time, it can take under a year, where you will work through one unit at a time, ensuring you fully understand the materials before moving on.

A shorter timeframe for the course enables you to focus on career progression, acquiring the knowledge and skills you need quickly to transition into new roles. Studying in this way is also very beneficial, as you can stay engaged with the content without it feeling like it is dragging on for years or without an end in sight.

3.   You Gain Knowledge and Skills

Completing a graduate certificate allows you to gain specialised knowledge and skills that can set you apart from others, making it easier to move into new roles and senior positions. Graduate certificates are the perfect way to develop expertise in specific industry sectors, targeting today’s challenges to ensure you receive the most up-to-date knowledge.

Graduate certificates, such as those in education, can provide more recent knowledge and skills to help you transition into STEM and leadership roles, with an awareness of today’s education challenges, including handling AI, changing behaviours, and inspiring the next generation. Having the most recent education knowledge and skills will set you apart from other educators, making it easier for you to secure roles and promotions.

4.   You Have a Personalised Pathway

Graduate certificates offer flexible pathways that are easy for you to personalise, tailoring your education to meet your career goals. There is no limit to the number of graduate certificates you can complete, allowing you to continue gaining knowledge and skills, thereby enhancing your career with every course. You can use the courses to help you move into different careers or roles, too, providing you with an understanding of new areas and sectors before applying to ensure it’s the right move for you.

5.   You Can Enhance Your Career Prospects

Ultimately, a graduate certificate is an excellent way to enhance your career prospects, equipping you with skills and knowledge that distinguish you from other candidates. It also demonstrates your commitment to professional development and continuous learning, traits that employers are actively seeking.

Not only can these courses make it easier to enjoy new roles, but they can also open doors to higher-paid positions. Graduate certificates are an excellent way to transition into higher-paid roles and negotiate a higher salary with your employer, reflecting your enhanced knowledge and skill set.

Find Your Graduate Certificate Course Today

Graduate certificate courses are excellent options, and one that we recommend for anyone looking to enhance their career. Graduate certificate programs, such as those offered by the University of Canberra, provide a perfect opportunity to acquire new skills with complete flexibility. Check out the graduate certificates they offer, including their postgraduate certificate in education, to make the next step in advancing your career today.

Ever had that heart-stopping moment when you realize your phone is missing? Or maybe you’ve spent hours worrying about a loved one who isn’t answering their calls. It’s a helpless, stressful feeling not knowing where your things or your people are.

Location tracker apps are designed to solve exactly this problem. In just a few clicks, you can pinpoint a device’s location on a map, whether it’s your teen coming home from a friend’s house or your phone that’s hiding under a car seat. They offer peace of mind when you need it most.

In this guide, I’ll show you how these apps work, we’ll choose the best ones out there, and I’ll give you some pointers on picking the right one for you.

How Phone Number Location Tracking Works

Phone location trackers use some clever technology to pinpoint where a device is. Most rely on GPS for quick, accurate coordinates. Some also tap into cell towers or Wi-Fi signals, especially if the phone’s GPS is off. When you use a tracker, you’re usually shown the spot on a map – simple and clear. It’s worth remembering that using these apps means thinking about privacy and respecting local laws. Only use them when it’s necessary and appropriate.

Top 5 Location Tracker Apps by Phone Number

After testing a range of apps and services, I picked out the five that stood up to real use. I looked for accuracy, value, and how easy they were to learn. However, the most important choice – which app is the best – I leave up to you.

Geozillas – Best Overall

Geozillas keeps things straightforward. You enter a number, and the service sends a discreet message with a tracking link. If the person clicks it, you see their real-time location on a map. There’s no app to install, so anyone can use it, no matter the device.

• Key features: phone tracker by number, reverse username lookup, checks for data leaks, helps to find your phone.
• Pros: Accurate tracking, straightforward setup, works across devices.
• Cons: Needs the other person to click the link.

Life360 – Best for Families

If your goal is to stay connected with your family, Life360 makes it easy. It creates a circle where family members can always see each other’s whereabouts. You’re notified when your kids reach school or get home, which is perfect for busy schedules.

But I did run into one major problem. Because the app constantly tracks your loved ones’ location, it creates some serious privacy issues that I think could really impact a relationship. Not to mention, my new iPhone’s battery drained quickly while I was testing it.

• Key features: Location sharing, arrival alerts, crash detection, driving reports.
• Pros: Wide range of family safety tools, works on iPhones and Androids.
• Cons: Needs everyone in the group to have the app, may drain battery quicker.

GEOfinder S – Best Budget Option

GEOfinders gets the job done at a lower cost while still providing reliable phone tracking. Like Geozillas, it sends a link to pinpoint a phone’s location and works with both basic phones and smartphones, giving you more flexibility. It’s easy to use, doesn’t need any app installation, and works across different networks.

Overall, it’s a pretty good app, but it has its flaws. I tested it out this spring while on holiday in Italy, right when a blackout happened. The metro shut down, and my girlfriend was lost. I told her to use GEOfinders to find her way to our meeting spot. The problem was, with a poor internet connection, the location accuracy was terrible. It took us a good 30 minutes to figure out where she was. I feel like another app, like Geozillas, would have solved the problem a lot faster.

• Key features: Tracks location by number, clear map views, works for many carriers.
• Pros: Very affordable, easy for beginners, no installation needed.
• Cons: Not always as accurate as the priciest apps, limited extra features.

How to Choose the Right Tracker

First, figure out what you need the tracker for. Need constant updates? Look for apps with real-time tracking. Check how accurate each service is, especially if you need precise locations. See if you need to install an app and, if you’re on a budget, compare free versions with paid ones. Putting them side-by-side will help you find the best fit for your needs, whether it’s for everyday use or just once in a while.

Conclusion

With the right tracker, you can keep tabs on loved ones or locate a missing phone with less stress. However, it is essential to remember that tracking an adult family member requires their express permission. Most regions have strict privacy laws, and monitoring someone without their knowledge can lead to serious legal consequences.  Review your priorities, pick a service that matches, and enjoy peace of mind wherever life takes you.

Have you ever caught yourself explaining something to a friend and thought, “Wait, I’m actually good at this”? That instinct is to break things down, make them clear, and help someone else get it. This is often the seed of a teaching career.

In a time that’s pivoted hard into remote everything and digital overload, teaching remains one of the few professions still rooted in human connection. Today, we will share how to approach a career focused on teaching and learning, and what it actually takes to build one that lasts.

Why This Path Still Matters

It’s not exactly breaking news that the U.S. education system has been under strain. Budget cuts, staffing shortages, and culture-war-driven policy shifts have made national headlines. But under that noise, a quieter reality remains: education still draws people who want to shape how others grow. Whether in classrooms, training centers, or digital platforms, teaching is still how ideas transfer from one generation to the next.

At the same time, education has become broader than just K-12 or college lectures. Instructional roles exist in healthcare, tech, retail, nonprofits, and corporate settings. People are hired every day to train new employees, run workshops, or design learning tools. And this expansion means that building a career around teaching doesn’t always require standing in front of a blackboard.

Some routes still follow traditional paths, with licenses, state exams, and classroom placements. Others go through professional education programs that train people to teach in adult learning settings, corporate environments, or digital classrooms. These programs help develop practical teaching tools. These include lesson design, assessment strategy, and group facilitation, without locking students into public school systems.

That flexibility matters, especially now. With Gen Z entering the workforce during a time of economic uncertainty and post-pandemic recalibration, many are eyeing careers that offer both purpose and adaptability. Teaching, when done right, delivers both.

What a Career in Teaching Actually Looks Like

Forget the cliché of the teacher writing on a chalkboard while students sit in neat rows. That picture hasn’t matched reality in decades. In practice, teaching involves juggling objectives, managing personalities, and constantly adjusting to who’s in front of you. You’re not just conveying facts; you’re shaping how people think.

In formal education, a teaching career can start with an undergraduate degree in education or a specific subject, followed by certification if public school teaching is the goal. For others, it begins with a background in another field, such as science, art, and business, and shifts into education through graduate school or licensing programs. Increasingly, people enter the field later in life, bringing years of real-world experience into the classroom or training environment.

But one constant is learning how to engage different types of minds. A group of third graders doesn’t respond the same way a team of new hires does, and adjusting your style matters. Teaching means reading the room, adapting fast, and figuring out how to make the material stick.

In non-traditional education settings, such as corporate training or instructional design, teachers often go by different names: facilitators, learning consultants, content developers. The tools may change (fewer textbooks, more slide decks), but the challenge remains the same: how do you make someone understand something they didn’t know yesterday?

Trends Driving Change in the Field

One of the biggest shifts reshaping education careers is tech. Platforms like Zoom, Google Classroom, and Canvas have changed how people teach and learn, even in jobs that used to rely on physical presence. A hybrid skill set that is comfortable in both live and digital instruction is now essential, not optional.

Meanwhile, public discourse around education has become more polarized. Curriculum choices, library books, and even classroom language have been politicized in ways that impact how and where teachers work. But rather than driving people away from the field, for some, these tensions have become motivation. They want to be in the room, shaping how the next generation thinks critically.

Another trend: burnout. It’s real, and the stats back it up. Many leave the classroom within the first five years, worn down by large class sizes, low pay, or lack of support. This is where the flexibility of the modern education career can matter. If one environment becomes unsustainable, the skills developed, like communication, organization, adaptability, travel well into other roles.

Education also remains one of the few fields where mentorship is built into the job. Whether formally or informally, those entering the field are rarely doing it alone. Veteran teachers, coordinators, and department leaders usually play a role in shaping new educators. It creates a strong sense of continuity, even as the work itself keeps evolving.

How to Succeed Long-Term

The people who stay in teaching and grow tend to share a few things in common. They’re curious, not just about their subject but about how people learn. They experiment, tweak, and don’t panic when a lesson flops. And maybe most importantly, they separate their ego from the outcome. If a student doesn’t get it, it’s not a personal failure. It’s a signal to try a different angle.

Staying current also helps. That doesn’t mean chasing every new app or teaching trend, but being aware of how tools and expectations change over time. Whether you’re running a classroom, leading a workshop, or creating online modules, keeping things relevant matters.

Community is another key. Isolated teachers burn out faster. Those who build support systems last longer and adapt better. This is done through coworkers, online groups and professional networks.  Teaching is emotional work and people who have a place to process it do better.

And don’t overlook the importance of boundaries. There’s always more work that could be done: lessons to improve, materials to revise, emails to answer. But teaching isn’t sustainable without a line between professional commitment and personal time.

Lastly, success often comes from clarity. What kind of teaching matters to you? Who do you want to reach? What do you want them to walk away with? Careers drift when those questions go unanswered. But when they’re clear, decisions about where to work, how to teach, and what to prioritize fall into place faster.

A Job That Still Feels Real

When so many jobs feel disconnected from tangible results (endless meetings, vague KPIs, or chasing engagement metrics) teaching stands out as something you can see working in real time. A confused face becomes an “oh, I get it” moment. A kid who struggled last month is asking sharper questions today. That kind of change doesn’t always happen fast, but when it does, it’s direct. Real. Visible.

That’s what keeps a lot of people in the game.

Choosing a career in teaching and learning isn’t about idealism or chasing a perfect classroom scenario. It’s about building work around the idea that people can grow and that you can help them do it. Whether it’s in schools, training rooms, or behind a screen, the goal is the same: make someone better at something than they were before. The work is hard, sometimes messy, often underappreciated. But for many, it still beats anything else.

Childhood memories often grow from shared experiences, playful challenges, and moments of belonging. Youth activities provide spaces where children discover confidence in ways that stay with them long after the activity ends. These experiences help shape how children remember their early years and how they view themselves as they grow.

Building Emotional Connections Through Participation

Youth activities give children a sense of connection that goes beyond daily routines. Team sports, creative clubs, and group programs allow kids to bond through shared goals and experiences. These connections often form the foundation of lasting friendships.

Participating together teaches children how to cooperate, communicate, and support one another. The emotions tied to these moments, such as excitement before a game or pride after a performance, are often what make memories vivid and meaningful over time.

Confidence Grows With Skill Development

Learning new skills plays a large role in memory building. Whether a child is practicing dance steps, learning an instrument, or mastering a new sport, the process of improvement creates moments of achievement. These successes may seem small at the time, but they help children see what effort can accomplish.

When children look back, they often remember how it felt to overcome a challenge or perform in front of others. Those moments of courage and growth contribute to a positive self-image that lasts well beyond childhood.

Creating Structure and Positive Routines

Consistent activities provide structure that children can rely on. Weekly practices, rehearsals, or meetings give kids something to anticipate. This routine adds stability, especially during busy school years.

Structured activities also teach time management and responsibility. Children remember the feeling of showing up prepared and being part of something bigger than themselves. These habits often carry into adulthood and influence how they approach future commitments.

Encouraging Creativity and Self-Expression

Creative activities allow children to express emotions and ideas in safe and supportive environments. Art programs, music groups, theater, and cheerleading give kids opportunities to explore who they are while feeling accepted.

The visual and sensory elements of these activities often strengthen memory. The colors, sounds, and movement associated with events like performances or competitions make those moments easier to recall later. For some families, details such as cheer uniforms become part of the story, symbolizing preparation, excitement, and pride tied to the experience.

Family Involvement Strengthens Memories

Youth activities often involve families as well. Parents and caregivers attend games, shows, and events, creating shared experiences that reinforce memories. Children remember who was there to support them and how it felt to be encouraged.

These moments strengthen family bonds and give children a sense of security. Looking back, they often associate activities with the feeling of being valued and supported, which adds emotional depth to the memory.

Youth activities do more than fill time after school. They shape how children remember growing up. Through connection, skill-building, creativity, and family involvement, these experiences create stories children carry with them for years. Supporting participation helps ensure those memories are positive, meaningful, and lasting. Check out the infographic below for more information.