You crave a career you love. One that helps you feel fulfilled while also allowing you to earn a comfortable living. No matter what is on the checklist for your dream career, you can find a field that accommodates your preferences and even provides room to grow. Depending on your preferred career track, you may need to pursue additional training, not only before you enter the workforce, but also indefinitely so you can remain competitive in your field.
Continued education is no longer optional. Professionals who adopt a mindset of continuous learning are more likely to enjoy consistent access to advancement opportunities. This could lead to both higher pay and far greater career satisfaction.
Perhaps you’re still wondering, “Why is continuing education important?” Below, we will explain why continuing education is a must through all phases of your career, plus the best options for growing both as a student and as a professional.
5 Ways Continuing Education Fosters Career Advancement
Continuing education provides numerous opportunities for working students to make rapid progress toward their most ambitious personal and professional goals. While this can certainly lead to resume-enhancing degrees and other credentials, the benefits of continuing education extend far beyond credentialing. Benefits include:
1. Skill Enhancement
While a robust skill set is increasingly needed to secure entry-level jobs, expectations continue to increase as you move up the career ladder. What’s more, you may need to refresh your skill set as new tools and technologies enter your professional lexicon. Degree and certificate programs provide thorough exposure to in-demand skills and provide a structured approach to expanding your skill set.
2. Competitive Edge
The right degree, certificate, or skills can give you a significant edge as you strive to stand out in a crowded and competitive workforce. If you are struggling to make an impression, it is possible that you simply need additional coursework and the right skills or credentials.
3. Networking Opportunities
Networking is a long-term pursuit, but finding opportunities to expand your network can become more difficult as you advance in your career. College coursework provides one of the most foolproof networking mechanisms, as it places you in regular contact with your field’s most influential individuals. Additionally, you can continue to leverage a powerful alumni network after graduation.
4. Leadership Opportunities
Often, employers mandate specific degrees or certifications for higher-level positions, especially in clinical fields or when management is involved. The right coursework can help you move beyond these barriers while also equipping you with a nuanced skill set that emphasizes leadership acumen. This consists of the ability to inspire and motivate employees while also handling diverse concerns such as budgeting, resource allocation, and conflict resolution.
5. Increased Earning Potential
As you develop in-demand skills and add new degrees or certifications to your resume, you can expect a wider range of job opportunities to become available. This may include higher-paid options that you may previously not have qualified for based on the job description alone. A wealth of data shows that simply earning an additional degree can spark a significant increase in both immediate income and long-term earnings, but gaining the right skills may also position you for success in lucrative fields.
Industries That Value Higher Education and Expanded Skill Sets
Name a field and you will no doubt find opportunities to expand your skill set and rise through the ranks. That said, some fields clearly value higher education and are more likely to extend career advancement opportunities to those who go the extra mile. Examples include:
- Healthcare. Continuing education is not only applauded in clinical fields such as nursing, but even outright required in some situations. Ongoing coursework helps prepare healthcare professionals for certification exams and may be needed to qualify for license renewal. This also keeps professionals up to date with the latest tools, technologies, research, and industry best practices.
- Technology & engineering. Today’s tech-driven fields are evolving at an unprecedented rate, so concepts or solutions that seem novel today may quickly become out of date. Continuing education provides an insider’s look at today’s quickly evolving technology and engineering landscape, including cutting-edge solutions involving artificial intelligence.
- Education. As in healthcare, continuing education may be necessary for teachers, administrators, or other professionals who want to give their students the personalized support they require. Continuing education can also open the door to exciting leadership opportunities in K12 or higher education.
- Finance and accounting. As regulations shift, compliance becomes a greater source of concern in the finance and accounting industries. Whether you pursue a career in finance or accounting, continuing education will ensure that you remain aware of new legislative priorities. It will also expose you to the most exciting technological opportunities that promise to drive greater accuracy and productivity.
- Marketing and business management. Market dynamics are always shifting, and, with these changes come exciting opportunities. Continuing education can help you leverage these opportunities by exposing you to critical management theories and frameworks, along with data analysis systems and solutions to facilitate impressive productivity and innovation.
3 Types of Continuing Education Opportunities
There are many ways to further your education, and no strategy will be ideal in every situation. A lot depends on your timeline, your professional aspirations, and your current level of education. As you continue to learn and grow, you may eventually explore all three of the strategies highlighted below:
Formal Education
Typically centered around structured, degree-granting programs, formal education relies on tailored curricula designed to promote specific learning outcomes. Common examples include associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degree programs. Diploma programs may also fall into this category, along with some certificate opportunities.
- Benefits
Simply put, college degrees often play into career advancement and may even be needed to break into several fields. Formal education promotes structured learning and impressive educational outcomes while also opening the door to exciting experiential opportunities and valuable student resources. - How to Determine If It’s Right for You
For fields such as healthcare or education, it will be almost impossible to find work without some type of degree or formal certification. In other sectors, degrees are not outright required but may feel as if they are given high employer expectations. If you already have a degree, other approaches to continuing education may feel more accessible or relevant.
Professional Development Courses
Shorter in duration than degree programs, professional development courses focus on a few targeted concepts. These are typically offered by professional bodies or by respected training organizations.
The shortest courses may be referred to as seminars or workshops, while certificate programs help students obtain a more well-rounded skill set. For example, Baker offers certificate programs that provide a deep dive into cannabis cultivation, extraction, and retail opportunities and also career-focused training with over 1,500 course offerings available.
- Benefits
If you cannot commit several years to pursuing a degree, professional development courses may be preferable, especially if you already have a degree. This is also an excellent option for addressing specific skill gaps that prevent you from advancing in your field. - How to Determine If It’s Right for You
If you require rapid skill development and need extra resources to provide support and accountability, professional development courses may help. This is a great option for acquiring niche skills or insights and can also complement a conventional degree.
Self-Directed Learning
Informal by nature, self-directed learning typically centers around resources such as books, podcasts, or even Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Even thoroughly credentialed professionals may at times seek self-directed opportunities based on their unique goals and interests.
- Benefits
Flexible and affordable, self-directed learning promotes a spirit of curiosity and continuous improvement. Both qualities are vital to ongoing success in today’s most compelling industries. - How to Determine If It’s Right for You
Are you passionate, motivated, and interested in exploring niche concepts? Self-directed learning may be an option, although many highly motivated and curious individuals can still benefit from online learning opportunities. Remember that self-directed learning does not need to occur in lieu of degrees, certificates, or professional courses. These approaches can be highly complementary.
10 Strategic Steps for Career Advancement
You have committed to advancing your career and are ready to get this professional journey off to a strong start. You can now confidently answer the question, “What are the benefits of continuing education?”
So, what’s next? Follow these steps and you will enjoy rapid career progression while satisfying your love of learning.
1. Set Clear Career Goals
A goal-driven approach to career advancement will ensure that you leverage the right opportunities and work smarter, not harder. This begins with determining what you want to accomplish in your career. For some, this is simple, but other students require a bit more soul-searching.
Begin by asking, “Where do you envision yourself in five years?” How about in 10 years? With this long-term objective in mind, break your career path into smaller, more manageable pieces so you can start to make discernible progress.
2. Acquire Necessary Skills and Qualifications
Do skill gaps stand in the way of career progression? Identify the specific skills, certifications, or degrees you lack, and determine how you can acquire these essentials. Often, this is as simple as enrolling in a relevant degree program, although internships, apprenticeships, and organization-based training programs can also help.
3. Seek Out Mentoring and Coaching
Every professional needs a mentor, or some source of support who offers insights gained through years of professional success. In addition to providing unique perspectives and personalized feedback, mentors can facilitate networking opportunities. Numerous organizations offer formal mentorship programs, but you may also want to seek mentors via college programs, professional associations, or by reaching out online.
4. Network Actively
Networking is a must through all phases of your career journey. If you pursue a formal education, you will enjoy built-in networking opportunities. For instance, during classes, group projects can lead to strong relationships. Additional networking opportunities may involve attending industry conferences, enjoying alumni gatherings, or getting involved in professional associations.
5. Develop Soft Skills
Career-driven students often focus primarily on technical skills, with the assumption that these are the most in-demand among top employers. Soft skills also matter, and employers increasingly cite these as essential among new hires. Essentials include:
- Creativity
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Empathy
- Agility
6. Take Initiative and Show Leadership
Enrolling in a college program conveys commitment to your growth as a person and as a professional, but this is just one of many ways to show initiative. Other options include volunteering for critical projects (especially those beyond the scope of your current role), showcasing problem-solving skills, and taking the lead when appropriate. Approach new opportunities with enthusiasm, and you will quickly find that your positive attitude makes a difference.
7. Document and Communicate Your Achievements
Earning a degree or certificate represents a major achievement, but it is far from the only accomplishment you will enjoy as you pursue continuing education opportunities. Be mindful of other milestones and do not hesitate to showcase these. To note, if you acquire an essential skill, celebrate this key accomplishment and consider even adding it to your resume or LinkedIn page, if relevant.
8. Stay Updated with Industry Trends
Continuing education will provide powerful insight into your field’s latest trends and developments, but you will also want to do your own research to ensure that you are up to date. This might involve reading peer-reviewed journals, following respected industry influences, or listening to relevant podcasts.
9. Seek Feedback Regularly
Instructors, advisors, mentors, and even fellow students can be amazing sources of constructive criticism. Do not be afraid to ask for honest feedback as you may be surprised at where room for improvement exists. This will set you up to respond more positively to feedback received in the workforce, which can fuel further growth.
10. Plan for Horizontal Moves
When most people picture the concept of career advancement, they imagine rising upward on the career ladder, often into senior or leadership roles. Yes, this is exciting, but there is also a lot to gain from lateral moves. This unique path is worth considering if you want to broaden your horizons, explore new concepts, and expand your skill set or network. Additional education can facilitate lateral moves and may eventually also lead to career progression as you embrace a new professional trajectory.
Advance Your Career at Baker College
As you explore a world of professional opportunities, look to Baker College for guidance. We are committed to serving the unique needs of adult learners while promoting a spirit of continuous improvement.
Whether you are a first-time or returning student, you will benefit greatly from the structured and supportive learning environment that Baker provides. Reach out to discover how our programs can fuel career growth and development.