In the workplace, you’ll be aware of the ceiling that keeps you from progressing. It is an invisible line that requires a certain qualification to cross it. In many cases you can’t even get in the door without a degree or required training. Learning and qualifications are an essential part of our business systems. If you have big ambitions and want to succeed in your career, you should never stop learning.
For example, a masters degree in business administration can propel you to a promotion and is often desired for tech leadership roles. Once you have the degree required by most big employers, don’t rest on your laurels. Always look for the next locked door and the key to open it. Without constant training and new qualifications, you can easily get stuck in a rut. Learning new skills and keeping up to date with the trends in your field of work is essential for career success. This may be through official training or simply picking up additional skills elsewhere. The desire to continue learning won’t go unrecognized by your employers. They will appreciate your drive and ambition to succeed.
And once you do plan on stepping up to a higher level of learning, keep your employers in the loop and also update your profile on LinkedIn to show and tell.
For the employers reading this, you too have an interest in helping your employees grow. Giving them room to expand their roles and learn new skills is vital. The key to a thriving workforce is letting them see a route to progression. Closing doors is a sure fire way to lose good workers. Try to include training programs and pay for qualifications where necessary. They will repay you with loyalty.
Don’t stop at your degree
When you apply for a job these days, you are competing with hundreds of others. All of them will also have a degree. In the past, a degree proved your competence and intelligence. It truly set you apart from the competition. Now, your bachelor’s degree has become the new minimum requirement. Before you apply for a job, consider an additional qualification. This won’t always be appropriate or necessary for your particular field. However, in the world of science and engineering, a bachelor’s degree isn’t always enough. Although it will often get you in the door, you may hit a stumbling block further down the line. Consider taking a master’s degree immediately after your bachelor’s degree. This will give you that extra edge over the competition. Plus, you won’t have to worry about being held back when it’s time to progress.
Adapt and evolve to the world around you
The world is changing and evolving at a rapid pace. No matter what industry you are in, technological developments are pushing things forward. New techniques are developed and better practices are constantly being tested. For example, look at the rise of computers. Twenty years ago, a computer was a luxury in the office. When the first computers were introduced, one would be shared by large groups of workers.
Nowadays you couldn’t imagine an office without computers. As they were introduced, those who sought advanced training in IT excelled fast. Very few people had this specialist knowledge and were rewarded. Of course, everyone knows how to use a computer now. However, it’s your job to look to the future and anticipate the next phase. Many savvy workers took it upon themselves to learn HTML, CSS and internet coding. This extra skill made them invaluable to their employers. There are plenty of new skills you can learn to make yourself indispensable. In the modern world, apps are taking over. Think about learning the app building process.
Think about what would work best for you and your company. What new technology is on the horizon and what new skills can you use to push your career forward? The internet is a valuable tool you can use to teach yourself new skills. If you need professional assistance, some evening classes now provide real qualifications.
Take up a hobby
Training and learning doesn’t have to be about qualifications. It can simply involve learning a new skill that will be valuable to you in the workplace. You can cultivate these kinds of skills by taking up a hobby. For instance, you could join a writers club to improve and develop your writing skills. Better yet, learn a new language. A second language is highly sought after by employers. It might help you land a job in the international department, for example. Studies show that those with a second language can expect higher salaries. Even if you don’t use the language directly, it shows that you are ambitious and willing to learn new things. Perhaps you have difficulty with public speaking. One sure fire way to eradicate this is by joining a debate team. Taking up a hobby will help you make new friends, overcome fears and develop new skills. All of these are highly valued by employers and will help you succeed in your career.
Advice for employers
Employers have a vested interest in cultivating this kind of development in their workers. It’s no secret that the best workers are driven and motivated. When your employees are given room to grow, they will shine. Employees work much harder when they feel like they are part of a community. When they feel like their company is working with them to progress, they remain loyal and work harder.
Encourage this by providing regular training sessions. Anticipate when your workers are looking for a new challenge. Many employees are constantly looking for new responsibility and the next step up. Help them reach it. A lot of the training can be done in house by your own team. Simply set up a training room for your sales team and teach them the valuable skills necessary. In cases where a qualification is necessary, it may be in your interests to pay the costs. Instead of hiring in someone new, stick with employees that you know are good. They will be grateful that you paid the costs and are more likely to remain loyal as a result.
Some tech companies like Google have a 20% policy. This means that 20% of their employee’s time must be spent on their own projects. It seems counter intuitive, but it is very effective. This allows them to follow their own passions and develop new skills. These skills and passion will then be translated to their daily work.
If you want to improve your career prospects or move up the ladder, never stop learning. The world is constantly changing and there are always new skills to learn. As soon as you stop learning you will see the competition slowly overtake you. Find the new skills that will set you apart and go after them.