One of the traits successful people possess is their thirst for knowledge. As perpetual learners, successful people understand that there is so much to learn. By taking a mindset of a perpetual learner, one can be worthy of the benefits of continuing education.
Learning can take various forms. It can be informal, such as taking short courses or traveling and getting immersed in other cultures. Through this route, the benefits of continuing education centers more on well-being and diversity of experience. However, if you want focus and structure, a more formal path is what you need—like a master’s or postgraduate degree. Pursuing further education presents a host of advantages. And we list some of these benefits here:
- Personal growth tops the list of the benefits of continuing education. Pursuing further education will help you develop transferable skills. These are the skills that you can apply in almost every aspect of your life. Time management, communication skills and organizational skills—to name a few—are abilities that can help you grow as a person.
- Boost your curriculum vitae with a master’s or a doctorate. Take advantage of the benefits of continuing education by positioning yourself as an expert in your field. If you are currently employed, the learnings that you can bring in will be beneficial to the company.
- Career Advancement also stands as one of the benefits of continuing education. Pursuing further education will help you get noticed by the management. With interest in personal development, your name can be thrown in for promotions and leadership roles in the future.
- Discovering new interests is one of the benefits of continuing education. Ten years ago, jobs like sustainability experts, app developers, data scientists, and social media managers were nonexistent. Schools and universities are now offering courses aligned with these new roles.
- Opportunities abound for people who pursue further education. Professionals within your field of interest converge in graduate schools, which makes them a great place to create a network. Furthermore, your postgraduate research or thesis may be the next innovation the field is waiting for. And it goes without saying: that is also a breakthrough for you.
Pursuing Further Education: How Do I Start?
With the above list, the benefits of continuing education cannot be disputed. If the list was successful in convincing you to pursue postgraduate studies, your next question should revolve around how to start. Time and funds are the two critical resources to consider in pursuit of continuing education. Assess your schedule and see where you can fit in your studies. Some universities offer a blend of classroom-based and virtual classes. Find the program and set up that which works best for you.
Check with your employer if they have programs that support continuing education. Create a business case and explain the benefits to your boss. Let the management know that investing in people’s further education will benefit the company’s bottom line. Also, look for scholarship programs within educational institutions.
The most successful individuals of our time give credit to reading and learning as a factor to their success. Berkshire Hathaway magnate Warren Buffet spends 5–6 hours reading every day. There’s the former Microsoft CEO, Bill Gates, who reads 50 books per year. Self-development author and motivational public speaker Brian Tracy shares: “Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.” At a time when everything shifts and changes so fast, new information and knowledge are brought forth every day. To keep up with these changes, one must continuously—in the words of Stephen Covey—“sharpen the saw” and boldly commit to learning.
