Most of us are aware that having excellent skills and qualifications is something that can help to boost our career prospects in the long term. However choosing the right route through education, whether you are at the start of your career, or looking to progress up the ladder, later on, can be confusing. Happily, this is something I can help you with as I have written the following post to explain all the learning options that are open to you. Keep reading to find out more.
On the job training
On the job training, can be informal or formal and mainly takes place while you are working full time. Jobs with informal training can be useful if they are the only way into the role that is available to you. Although most people stay away from these if possible in favor of positions that offer a more formal training route.
Formal on the job training can work well for people.
Such routes, sometimes known as apprenticeships can work well for you because you will be given time off to be trained in house, or attend college and study for a qualification relating to your chosen profession. While they are beneficial for your employer as they can receive financial help from funding bodies, and they also get an enthusiastic worker to train the way they do things, someone that will hopefully stay with the company for the long term.
The downside of these formal on the job training programs is that they tend to pay a little less than the going rate. Something that makes them better for school leavers and those still living at home, but more problematic for folks with an already established independent life.
On-Campus Degrees
The next option to consider concerning career-related education is going to college and studying for a degree in your field.
This is by far one of the most popular choices for those of school leaving age, although you will find some older or mature students as they are known, as well. However, due to the life experience of the mature student and the sacrifices they have had to make to attend college then tend to be more motivated to succeed academically, and less inclined to enjoy the social scene college can bring, something that often delineated the two groups sharply.
Of course, the advantage of such a form of education is that it provides in-depth schooling from experts within a specific field, and it also allows you to cut your teeth and practice your art before you have to make it in the real world. Sadly, the massive cost of college loans and accommodation fees that are involved put many people off of this option, making it unsuitable for everyone.
Online degree
Another work-related education option to consider is that of the online degree. These provide the opportunity for those that cannot afford to take an on-campus degree course, as well as those that need to work full time for the duration of their education. In fact, you are still getting the specialist expertise of those at the top of their field; only you don’t have to leave your home to access it.
While you can do online degrees on pretty much any subject under the sun, those that are partaking of these educational experiences to strengthen their career position do best to pick a course with a vocational focus like the online business degrees that are available from universities with a strong reputation. In fact, pick sometime that has a direct application to your field after graduation can give you a serious advantage in the career market.
Professional career development courses
Lastly, there is one more educational option to consider when it comes to boosting your career and its professional career development courses. These tend to be from half a day to a week in length, or longer and are often paid for by the company that employs you, although this isn’t always the case.
Such courses are designed to teach you a specific skill by the end, and while they may not go into as much breadth or depth as the other educational options, they are incredibly useful for staying on top of the latest trends and development in your field such as information technology.
Therefore if your current employer offers you some professional career development courses, it is always wise to embrace them with both hands and attend. After all, even if it’s only teaching you what you already know you can record it on your resume and it will be another thing that will be in your favor when it comes to changing jobs or why you apply for that promotion you have had your eye on.
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