Some people are born students. They simply love learning and can easily pick up new information. This, however, isn’t the case for everyone. People who struggle with school – or who just don’t enjoy it – won’t want to do homework after a day at the office. There’s no reason to be ashamed about this. On the other hand, advancing your mental and technical skills can pay dividends in the workplace.
Here’s why continuing education is crucial for success in many careers.
Build Your Knowledge Base
No matter who you are, you can always learn more about your job. You might think that you’ve perfected your vital tasks. That may be true—for now. But do you know prevailing meta trends in your industry? Can you explain the job of the person who works in the cubicle next to you? If you struggle answering either of these questions, you don’t know enough about your career to shun education entirely. Expanding your knowledge about topics related to your position will only make you more effective. Maybe try a masters supply chain management or similar program.
Be More Valuable at Work
By building your knowledge base, you become more valuable to your company. Valuable people are less likely to be replaced—in good or bad times. You want to be considered indispensable by your peers and superiors, right?
Increasing your inherent value isn’t just good for your job security. It can also lead to you getting paid more. Individuals with a master’s degree on average earn over $10,000 more per year than those with just their Bachelor’s. That’s an investment that can pay off in huge ways over the long term.
Protect Yourself from Lawsuits
Some jobs legally require you to participate in continuing education. This is often the case with careers that have constantly changing regulatory restrictions. For example, real estate agents often need to take periodic tests in order to retain the licenses.
The requirements for continuing education can vary by state. This is why it’s important to be keen to all local laws related to your position. It’s wise to get professional liability insurance to protect yourself in the event that something goes awry with your certification.
Learn Other Valuable Skills
Most modern jobs require employees to draw on several skills. Many companies now expect people to know how to code. This is just one example of a greater overall trend. You can’t just rely on what you already know to be successful in today’s business world. Jobs are now more complex and require lots of synergy. Individuals who can best pool their talents will rise to the top of their field.
Know All the Industry Lingo
Do you know the feeling of being completely clueless in a conversation? Probably. This isn’t so embarrassing if you’re conversing with a rocket scientist. But it can be a huge blow if it happens while talking with a client—or your boss.
Continuing education can help you stay up to date on all industry lingo. Sometimes technical jargon can be unnecessary and empty. Even if this is the case, you should learn about it. You want to know all the trends in your field—the good, the bad, and the ugly. This will allow you to speak with people of all levels of expertise. In addition, you will be able to make more intelligent decisions at work.
Many people aren’t super keen on the idea of continuing education. It can be a lot of extra work in addition to having a full-time job. On top of that, a lot of people just dislike popular pedagogical systems. Regardless, it’s a prudent career move to be constantly looking to grow your depth of understanding.
