More than Just a Piece of Paper

Paula West
July 19, 2023
Career Guide Article

Keep learning your way to success!

When you say you are a lifelong learner, you are telling people more about you than you may think. It shows people (and potential employers) that you are adaptable, curious, and not afraid of learning new things. These are all things that make you more marketable to employers. Sometimes taking the leap can be scary (or expensive) but it is 100% worth it in the end! Check into your company’s corporate policies, as they may support continuing education, or watch for free courses online or within your community.

3 Positive Impacts Learning can have on you:

Networking

We keep saying it, but putting in the energy to grow your network is important. When you take a course or full program, you will find yourself with like-minded people whom you will learn with, and from.

Group work is a fitting example of how to build the soft skills that employers are often looking for. Often in classes, you learn to work on assignments with short due dates, and without knowing how your team’s dynamics, can make these tight timelines and tasks tricky to navigate. Learning to meet these deadlines with completed objectives teaches not only the course material but also how to work with others, how to deal with pressure and timelines, as well as learning to collaborate with teams who have different knowledge levels, skill levels and cultural backgrounds. This process is a valuable tool to highlight when you find yourself in a job interview. The same people whom I have sat beside or who have taught me along the way have been a part of my career path for longer than just the duration of the course.

Income Growth

There are times when continuing education can lead to increases in your pay. MBA’s and management programs can often lead you up the ‘corporate ladder’ landing you an increase in pay. Continuing education could also open doors to management-level opportunities at other companies.

Work-Life Balance

Learning something new does not always have to have a professional agenda attached to it.
New skills can help reduce stress and force you to focus on something that is not work-related.
Adding something that is unrelated to your day-to-day work duties can be refreshing and, guess what, expand your network of people!

When you decide to take a course or begin a program, my advice is to enroll at a local University or College. These offerings are commonly accepted by employers across the nation, or globally, and are yours to keep forever! Increasing your personal skills toolbox can only benefit you overall.

If you are looking for programs, please check out our Education Partners for more information. You can also find more resource material in our Career Success Library at AgCareers.com