SPONSOR CONTENT FROM STRATEGIC EDUCATION It’s Time to Challenge Old Assumptions Around Re-Skilling and Career Advancement December 11, 2020 By Andrea Backman, Acting President, Strayer University I met a woman recently whose story resonated deeply with me because of both the potential and the challenges it presents. Beverly is a single mother who lives with her two children under 10 and an elderly parent in Charlotte. She earns minimum wage in retail. Beverly tried to earn a college degree and wants to pursue a career in IT, but she has neither the time nor the funds to go back to school. Stories like Beverly’s are unfortunately all too common and play out all over the country. According to the World Economic Forum, fewer people currently in the working and middle classes are likely to advance on the economic ladder. Despite a desire to upskill, many adults face barriers to growth that include lack of time, money, and professional networks to advance.