Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Introduction
The business world is in constant hunger for the next big thing…or the next big person. Your qualifications might have given you a foot in the door, but can they sustain you through the competition in today’s environment?
Up-skilling through education is an agile way to stay on top of the game. It enables one to be a solution to complex business challenges. Your career advancement greatly depends on it.
The pursuit of knowledge is elemental in building a successful career or a thriving business; here is why:
A mark of distinction
Progressive education gives you higher-level training that your competitors may not have. It can help set you apart from your colleagues and competitors when pursuing promotions and new business opportunities.
Growth only comes as a result of having proven your worth in the field by attaining higher credentials.
A new degree or certification will show that you are highly committed to understanding and excelling in your job.
It designates a professional that’s on top of trends and well versed with the new ways of doing things, new regulations, new business opportunities and much more.
In any job opportunity, candidates with more qualifications stand out from the rest. Your higher qualification increases your employability.
The title or initials behind your name summarize your CV in a powerfully compelling way.
Personal development
New skills and expertise can fuel your career or business to greater heights, but that’s not all they do. Progressive education is equally important in creating a well-rounded individual, enabling you to live a fulfilling life.
Perhaps the first non-job related benefit of a new qualification would be the realization of new passions. Getting into a professional certification or new degree class might help you realize where new passions lie.
That is the road to self-actualization; to achieve your true self. This, as you will:
- Recognize your core strengths
- Master a personal vision for you, not the company or career
- Execute your own development agendas that get you closer to self-mastery
- Broaden your perspective of life and eventually shift focus from self to others
Better communication and leadership skills
Communication is the lifeblood of business. Employee relations, investor relations, customer interactions, marketing, and business transactions all rely on excellent oral and written communication.
Further education fine-tunes your ability to communicate more effectively.
The learning environment teaches you to be a good listener and to be attentive to details. These are the initial requirements for effective communication.
Out of studying more emerges a person who can foster better relationships with colleagues, employers, and clients because he or she values the opinions of others.
Additionally, good communication skills enhance your leadership abilities. With the superior people-skills gleaned from your education, you will have a shot to be a leader.
You will have the skills to consolidate personal missions and ambitions towards common goals. And, you will have the ability to resolve conflicts and nurture cohesiveness in your teams.
Critical thinking skills
A good critical thinker is an asset to any business. Employers want sharp-witted individuals who can analyze facts in complex business scenarios and make reasonable profitable conclusions.
Continued education in your field sharpens your ability to identify problems before they arise and design the right solutions.
Can you effectively weigh the pros and cons of that next acquisition or analyze the minutiae in the next financial year’s strategic plan?
Can you see the bigger picture in intricate risk scenarios and find ways to turn them around into opportunities?
Businesses need critical thinkers in leadership positions. That can be you after going through better education programs, such as the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) course.
Discipline and commitment
Climbing up the career-ladder takes more than just skills; sometimes discipline and commitment is all it needs.
Most people have landed promotions merely by enrolling in a professional certification or degree program; not even after they graduate.
How does that work?
Employers want workers they can trust; those that are fully committed to the profession. Starting an additional program shows that you can take the initiative and are determined to be better and excel in your job.
Finishing up and getting certified will further show how disciplined you are. It will also indicate your time management skills—all of which constitute the right ingredients for career advancement.
Professional prestige
Do you want that corner office with the impressive initials before your name? Want a seat at the big table and a chance to be the go-to person when everything else seems bleak?
Professional educational advancement is the answer.
An undergraduate degree is standard in today’s environment. Most workers are in a race to spruce up their resumes and portfolios.
You may easily get left out as your colleagues get the next qualification and graduate into leadership positions in your organization or find greener pastures elsewhere.
When that accomplished person is you, expect respect and admiration to flow your way. Your colleagues will be coming to you for solutions.
You will have what it takes to start pertinent industry dialogues in your network and drive solutions for systemic problems.
Higher salary
At times, studying may seem like a risky undertaking for your time and money, but it does pay off. Your time and effort in education often lead to increased income opportunities.
Employers understand the value of additional training, and the role that qualified individuals can play in leadership, strategy, innovation and boosting the corporate image among clients. As a result, they will pay more for your work.
A global survey by Simplilearn found that an accredited online certification increased earning potential by 20 to 40%.
In extrapolation, one should expect even more salaries from global accredited certifications or masters programs.
Practical skill sets
There are programs available that are laser-focused, compared to the typical undergraduate or diploma studies. Professional courses focus on building your skills and techniques for the job.
The syllabi are based on industry problems and devising solutions.
Going through such programs can equip you with new skills needed to accomplish your job. The efficiency, speed, and quality of your output will increase.
You will have the ability to take on more responsibilities and sophisticated projects that you might have been turned away from before.
Professional Credibility
Recruiters in many companies, government organizations, and non-profits today demand certain certifications from specific programs and professional bodies.
In this case, the only way to build your credibility as you strategize for that executive job position is to get the qualification from your industry’s leading program.
Your qualification will demonstrate your commitment to championing industry standards and continuous improvement.
This merit will be your ticket to sit at the big table and take part in decision making at the organizational or industry level.
Job security
Education could be what it takes for you to retain your job. Over time, skills become obsolete and need refreshing.
Technological advancements, changing regulations and the new nature of business relationships at local and international levels compel re-skilling and up-skilling in jobs across all industries.
Without new and unique skills, your value in the organization declines, you move from being an asset to risk and next you are given the axe.
Professional networks
Networking is a requirement for business and career success. There are doors that you cannot enter or calls that cannot be made unless you know someone.
By advancing your education, you are connected to many like-minded people. Some programs connect you to qualified professionals around the world.
These are executives in organizational and industry leadership positions. They are also regulators, educators, and consultants that you can interact with and expound your knowledge.
When you earn a radical qualification in the field, you join ‘the big boys and girls club.’ If there are new opportunities in these networks, you stand a higher chance of getting them than if you were outside.
Strategic thinking skills
Strategic thinking skills are one of the leadership skill-gaps in organizations today. Your company’s management is regularly scrutinizing employees, looking for whoever might have the knack to take on business leadership.
Because of the short-term or limited vision among employees, management often has to hire leaders from outsiders. Why is that?
- Employees focus on solving problems instead of only improving processes
- They are quick to point out what won’t work but do not propose what will
- Workers make assumptions and fail to ask insightful questions
- They run away from risk instead of seeing the opportunities veiled in there
Further education can help to sharpen your strategic thinking and ability to generate more value for your business.
You graduate from the program with a deepened capacity to think clearly about issues like strategy, innovation, change, technology, transformation, conflict, and sustainability.
The takeaway
Advanced education is a worthwhile investment for your career and business. It’s not just about adding another line to your resume.
Instead, it is about readying and proving yourself worthy to take on complex challenges in your profession and personal life.
We thank you for reading and hope that you will browse through our other articles and download our free materials.
There’s no time like the present,
The QuestionBank Family