Whether you’re looking for a promotion, a new role in a different industry or a better life through a higher salary, the right education can help you obtain your dream job. While you don’t necessarily need a degree, for many jobs such as project management, information science or marketing, having the right qualifications can give you a distinct advantage.
With the average company interviewing 4-6 candidates for every position, without the right education or experience, it can be difficult to convince employers that you’re the perfect person for the job. In this article, we’ll show you how the right education can land you your dream job.
In addition to the right education, a strong resume that highlights your education and qualifications can help get a recruiter’s attention, especially for roles that require specialized skills.
The Right Knowledge and Skills
There’s no denying that certain career paths require specific skills and training. For instance, if you want to practice medicine, you’ll need to complete a four-year undergraduate program and then attend medical school. If you want to become an accountant, you’ll need to pursue an accounting and finance degree and then obtain further accounting qualifications. Meanwhile, an MBA online program with specialization can cover a wide range of jobs despite having a focus field.
Even for careers in creative fields or less traditional industries such as marketing, the right education can help gain essential knowledge and provide the hands-on training required to succeed in your chosen career.
Constant growth
In addition to specialized knowledge and skills, in many jobs, staying up-to-date with current industry trends and developments is key to career advancement. Staying informed not only helps establish credibility but also shows that you’re constantly learning, an essential skill in an ever-changing job market.
When you further your education, you ensure you remain relevant in your industry and that you’re prepared for new opportunities. Constant learning can also help you step out of your comfort zone and that you have the skills to overcome unexpected changes, such as losing your job.
Social and Professional Networks
Using your networks can be one of the most effective ways to find a new job or a new role at a company.
During the course of your studies, you will likely have the opportunity to interact with people from all cultures, nationalities and backgrounds, which means you’ll be exposed to a broader professional network.
Often, higher education establishments such as universities or colleges offer internships and networking opportunities with people in your field of interest. For instance, almost all universities have career offices, which work together with academic departments, and employers to help students and alumni find internships and employment.
In addition, major employers often send representatives to talk to students at careers fairs, which provide the chance to explore the opportunities open to you while you study and after you graduate.
Internships
Many courses provide the opportunity to undertake a placement or internship as part of the program. In today’s job market, where relevant experience is often prioritized, internships provide that much-needed work experience alongside the professional skills required to succeed in the workplace.
They also often provide the opportunity to test-drive your dream career and learn more about an industry. This allows you to decide whether you want to continue in your preferred industry or whether you want to explore other career paths.
What’s more, you may have the opportunity to make connections at your dream company, who you can call on after you complete your education and are in the market for a job.
Transferable skills
While technical skills will allow you to perform specific job tasks, such as coding, transferable skills will allow you to do your job. These are skills such as problem-solving, time management, the ability to communicate effectively or the ability to work well with others. What’s more, these can be applied to any industry or job. For employers, transferable skills are an indication that someone will make a positive contribution from day one.
When you embark upon a degree or further education, it takes commitment and discipline to see it through to the end. This not only shows that you can stick with challenging tasks, but that you’re teachable.
Similarly, if you often had to tackle difficult essay questions or complex math problems, you will have had to think critically and outside the box. Or if you needed to juggle part-time work with multiple modules and lectures, you will have had to develop time management skills and self-motivation. All these skills demonstrate to employers you are reliable, disciplined and have staying power.
Better Pay and Benefits
For most people, the ability to earn more money is the driving force behind pursuing further education. Whether you pursue a postgraduate degree or professional qualifications, studies show that the common route to earning more money is to develop your skills. Even the easiest PhD to get can help advance your career. The more qualified you are, the more likely you’ll be in demand and have your pick of jobs.
Very often, jobs with higher pay also tend to provide more benefits, such as healthcare, retirement or travel. These benefits are important because they not only improve your life but your family’s as well, especially where healthcare is concerned.
Confidence
Completing a degree or a professional qualification in itself is a big accomplishment, especially if you’re juggling multiple priorities, such as working full-time or part-time or caring for relatives or children.
When you earn your degree or qualification, you prove to yourself that you have the ability to put your mind to something and see it through no matter what it takes. This sense of achievement will give you the confidence to go after your dream job and present your skills and experience well in interviews. By displaying confidence, you reassure employers that you’ll perform in the job well and that you know your worth.
