Do you feel in order for you to advance in your career, you have to go back to school? We see more and more job postings preferring an MBA, and we talk with students who are getting one just to check that box. Higher education is a great place for many people, but for some, it’s not in the cards.
Here are a few ways to continue to grow and advance within your career without going back to school.
1. Micro-credentials
Short, professional learning designed to show competency in hard or soft skills. Micro-credentialing is sought primarily to help someone gain expertise in a skill. For example, that could be data analytics (hard skill) or empathy (soft skill). Companies like to see micro-credentials because it shows you are continuing to learn and hone your skills. The benefits are flexible course offerings and cost-effective stackable skills. There are lots of offerings for micro-credentials from achieving badges on LinkedIn to taking an in-person Excel course at your local community college.
2. Certifications
Certificates indicate you have taken a course or passed an exam in your field of industry. For example, Certified Professional Accountant for accountants or a Professional Human Resource certification for an HR professional. Usually, in order to maintain certification, you have to complete continuing education in your field to stay current. This is a benefit for you because you are staying up to date with your industry. Certifications usually come with more salary and professional benefits, yet are more time intensive and costly to achieve.
3. Apprenticeships
On-the-job training for a particular trade or profession. Apprenticeships are a great way to make money while gaining knowledge about a particular regulated industry. For example, electricians have apprenticeships, that allow you to work toward a higher level of position while getting paid and training all at the same time. Apprenticeships are not just for new graduates. Many professions that offer apprenticeships are in high demand and hurting for workers, so they will welcome more seasoned applicants.
4. License
Similar to certifications in that it requires you to take a test and continue your education. Many roles require a license to be able to work in a certain field. For example, a real estate agent is required to have a license to sell real estate.
You should check with your employer to see if they offer any of these programs or assistance in achieving your goals. All of these things will show your competency and willingness to advance your skill set and employers are interested in employees who are open to growing.
