Five Reasons Why Continuing Education is a Positive Career Step


Five Reasons Why Continuing Education is a Positive Career Step

Jun 22, 2010 David R. Wetzel

Many people make a decision about jobs and careers after leaving high school or college, some based on clear goals and others on need. However, there are many varied and often uncontrollable reasons why these initial occupations do not last. This leads to five reasons why continuing education must be considered as a positive investment for achieving success in a chosen occupation.

Changing Jobs: An Unstable Future for Everyone

Job instability is the first of five reasons why everyone needs to pursue continuing education. Additional education helps remain current within a career field, because changing jobs numerous times in one’s lifetime is inevitable.

According to a news release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics ("Number of Jobs Held – A Longitudinal Study," June 27, 2008) the average person changes jobs 10.8 times during the ages of 18 and 42. This study also found earnings were higher for college graduates as compared with those who had less education.

The following are additional specifics regarding changing jobs provided by the study:

  • Adults changed jobs the most before age 27.

  • On average, men held 11.0 jobs and women held 10.6 jobs from age 18 to age 42.
  • Of the adults who began new jobs between the ages 18 to 22, 72 percent of those jobs ended in less than a year and 94 percent ended in fewer than 5 years.

  • For adults who began new jobs between the ages 38 to 42, 31 percent ended in less than a year and 65 percent ended in fewer than 5 years.
Because of the number of jobs adults are expected have by the time they turn 42, these findings make it clear continuing education is essential for everyone to remain employable in the job market.

Investing in a Career: Preparing for the Future

Career investment is the second of five reasons why continuing education is critical. A job is the most valuable asset someone has in their life. This is why it is so important to invest in additional education. Academic success leads to increased job retention and improves this invaluable asset.

Many people will not hesitate to invest in the latest technology gadget or other extravagant items. However, they must also view continuing education as an investment in life and a support for providing the money they need to maintain their lifestyle. Although it takes time and money up front to complete courses and obtain a degree, the return on investment is well worth benefits expected throughout a lifetime.

Improving Job Skills: Continual Development is Essential

The third reason for continuing education is to ensure knowledge and skills are up-to-date with the latest trends affecting a person’s career field. The benefit for a person continuing their education in this manner is their employer is more likely to view them as a valuable asset during downsizing or layoffs.

Earning a higher degree, certification, or completing continuing education units are worth the time and financial investment. By selecting the right continuing education degree related to a chosen career, jobs skills and specializations are enhanced which make a person a versatile employee. It also increases their value in the job market when the time comes to seek other employment or a new career.

Finding a Dream Job: Value of Continuing Education When Changing Careers

Finding the dream job is the fourth reason continuing education is important for those considering switching careers. The benefit of adult education is learning about prospective career fields which may lead to a dream job. The reality and requirements for these potential jobs is better understood through enrollment in related courses.

When an adult continues their education, they are more likely to discover a job which matches their passion and talents. This is not only accomplished through course work, it is also realized through internships. These opportunities allow someone to “test the waters” before jumping into a new career. This is a critical step many people do not use or do not use effectively when coming out of high school or college.

Career Earning Potential: Achieving a Higher Income as a Result of Additional Education

The final reason for using continuing education as a positive career step is the all important potential increase in earning potential. As stated in the changing jobs section, adults who earn a college degree tend to earn more over their lifetime than those who do not seek additional education. Education pays and is worth the investment in time and money.

Do not settle for any job, career, or a lower income. An investment in continuing education can increase marketability through improved jobs skills and potentially a dream job. Also, leads to greater job stability and greater lifetime income which is further incentive for taking a positive career step through additional adult education.

Copyright David R. Wetzel. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


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Comments

Jul 6, 2010 9:37 AM
Guest :
Mr. Wetzel has clearly and accurately defined the reasons for continuing education. Through personal experience I can attest to much of what Mr. Wetzel promotes.

After high school, I went to college for a short period. While there I was offered a job running a restaurant. Since I had worked in the foodservice field during high school, and because I planned to make it my life's work, I exited school and began working full-time, leaving a degree as unfinished business. I reasoned that foodservice was a profession that did not require a degree, and that experience was far more crucial.

After a reasonably successful career, and at the age of 48, I still had not reentered school. By then I was working at a university as the Assistant Director of Foodservice in the university dining program

The Director's position opened up, and I applied. I believed that I had the requisite experience to easily be appointed to the job. Another candidate was picked to fill the position. I was stunned. I asked the HR department why I did not receive the promotion. I was informed that the successful candidate, while not possessing my wide array of experience, did possess a BA degree, which I did not.

Shortly thereafter I entered community college with the goal in mind of obtaining an AA degree. I found that school was a comfortable fit for me and I continued through the AA, a BA, 2 Masters, and I am currently working on an EdD. In addition I took classes that allowed me to receive 3 teaching credentials and an administrative credential. During the course of my schooling, I found that I no longer wanted to be in foodservice. I have been part of the public school system in Southern California for 14 years, teaching at all levels from elementary to community college. This, it turns out, is my dream job.

I highly recommend that people continue to seek education throughout their lives. The reasons are too numerous to mention here, but Mr. Wetzel did a fine job of outlining the benefits. Good article and good job!

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