5 Ways to Advance Your Career with Continuing Education

In a constantly changing society, continuous education is the key to success. Professional agility requires learning and gaining new skills constantly. Education allows you to improve, stay current, and advance in your profession or switch sectors. 

The key to achieving these things is a lifelong learning attitude that enhances morale, professional engagement, ambition, and self-confidence.

Let’s look at the five best ways to advance your career via continuing education. 

1. Postsecondary Degree Programs

Getting the job you want may require some postsecondary education, no matter what career you’re currently in. Postsecondary education can be a two-year program, a four-year program, a certificate program, or a trade school program. The type of education program that best suits the personality and interests of a graduating senior is up to them.

Employers may look for postsecondary education when scanning resumes for open positions. Your resume may stand out more if you list a completed program. In addition, you increase your marketability to a broader range of employers.

2. Professional Certifications

Certifications are third-party declarations of an individual’s skill level or knowledge in a particular field. A professional society or university may grant them, or a private agency may do so.

You can also continue your education by earning professional certifications. Professional certifications enable you to gain new skills while advancing your career. They are also a great way to showcase specific skill sets as a part of your resume. 

3. On-the-Job Training

On-the-job training (OJT) is a practical way to learn new skills and competencies. Live-work practice, simulations, and training environments are different ways that you may complete OJT.

These active exercises are often more effective than watching presentations or receiving worksheets – and in some cases, they are a necessity. Supervisors, managers, or knowledgeable employees guide the workplace during this training.

With on-the-job training, new employees learn a wide range of work procedures. In addition to learning workplace expectations, they know how to operate equipment and any other skills necessary to get the job done.

There is no standard time for on-the-job training, but it may last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the job’s demands. New employees often begin their training by shadowing existing employees before being allowed to complete these tasks independently.

4. Online Courses

An online course is a course that takes place in a virtual environment and is organized according to a syllabus (usually in units). You can take an online course to learn one skill or one that leads to a certification or degree.

Online courses are popular options for continuing education as they can often be completed at the learner’s own pace and often use their preferred study methods. This facilitates a busy day job and other personal responsibilities. 

5. Continuing Education Unit Courses

Many education and training providers award continuing education units (CEUs) for completing non-credit programs and courses designed to improve working adults’ skills and knowledge.  

Professional workers who engage in continuing professional education most commonly obtain CEUs for refreshing, transitioning, or improving their knowledge.

A CEU is usually attributed to approximately ten (10) contact hours of structured continuing education activities (e.g., classes, seminars, retreats, practicums, self-study, etc.) supervised by a qualified CEU provider.

Continuing education is highly recommended for everyone, regardless of age, industry, or current level of education. 

Combining one or more of these methods of continuing education can not only help you advance your career but can also help you improve your skill set. Pursue the types that work best for you and watch the doors open to new career opportunities.