You’ve been at your job for quite some time now and you’re pretty content, but you’re wondering if there is something extra you can do that might get you ahead. Is going back to school to further your education a feasible option? In this article we will discuss the benefits of furthering your education to get ahead in your job.
The decision to return to school to further your education is a big decision. You need to take several factors into consideration. Will you be able to manage your time wisely? Balancing a full-time career and schooling can be challenging, but also can be extremely rewarding if you are able to properly manage your time. Another thing to take into consideration is: are you returning to school to further your career or for purely personal reasons? And even more importantly, can you afford to return to school?
If you decide to pursue further education you need to determine if you want to attend evening classes at a university or registered training organisation (RTO), a specialized program in your field or even take online courses. Once you make this decision, you can go ahead and make the necessary arrangements.
There are many advantages of furthering your education. It will give you a sense of personal fulfilment and purpose. It can help you fine-tune/up-sell your current skill level and it can also give you skills to move to an advanced position such as management or a speciality in your chosen field.
Never tell yourself “it’s too late for me.” It is never too late to improve your skill set and further your education. With so many colleges offering online programs and webinars, furthering your education has never been easier.
Below are just a few of the advantages of pursuing further education as an adult:
- It will make you more qualified for other positions within your company
- It will look good on your resume if you wish to pursue other options
- It can give you an opportunity to earn more money
- It can give you job security
- It can boost your self-esteem
- It can help build your business network
- It can broaden your horizons
- It can increase your organizational skills
- It can build your skill set
- You can form new friendships
- You can find a mentor, or better yet, become a mentor to someone else
- It will show your employer that you are motivated
Education is never a bad thing. Broadening your horizons and increasing your knowledge level and skill set are very admirable traits in an employee. Employers like to see that their workers are taking the initiative to improve themselves and get ahead. This can bode very well on your behalf when you are up for a promotion or considering a career change.
A lot of employers will reimburse part of your tuition if you meet their requirements. If you are considering returning to school, you should talk to your human resources department to see if they can offer any financial assistance.
Furthering your education may seem like a challenge at times, but it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.