Imagine your career as a road trip. You start at one point intending to reach your desired destination — which, in this case, is career advancement resulting in:
- Financial security
- New opportunities
- Personal development
- Job satisfaction
Now, think about what you need to make that journey smoother and more successful. Just as a road trip requires a well-maintained vehicle and a reliable map, career advancement demands upskilling.
Your career journey relies on continuous learning, acquiring new skills, and honing existing skills to keep you relevant and highly desirable in the workplace. A survey by Gallup and Amazon found that, among those who recently completed upskilling, 30% started a new, better-paying, or higher-skilled job!
Technologies evolve, customer preferences shift, and new methodologies replace outdated ones. What was considered cutting-edge yesterday might become obsolete tomorrow. In this constantly changing environment, staying relevant and competitive demands more than just the skills you learned when you started your career. In this article, we’ll cover:
- The benefits of upskilling for professional growth
- The consequences of not upskilling
- Five ways to upskill (with examples)
- How to make time for upskilling
Embrace upskilling for continuous professional growth
Leveraging upskilling, regardless of your profession, equips you to be adaptable to evolving job requirements. In the hospitality sector, for instance, upskilling enables employees to seamlessly adopt new reservation systems or embrace contactless check-in procedures, enhancing guest experiences and catering to changing preferences. Engineers who embrace upskilling within renewable energy technologies position themselves at the forefront of a global transformation toward sustainable practices.
The demand for renewable energy solutions continues to surge as the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change and dwindling fossil fuel resources. By dedicating themselves to mastering the intricacies of solar, wind, hydro, and other renewable energy technologies, these engineers design innovative solutions that effectively address the world’s energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.
In the healthcare space, aside from continuous education, embracing technology and digital healthcare is crucial for meeting the demand for high-quality healthcare for everyone. In today’s age, telemedicine companies are an excellent option for patients that prefer or require remote care. Companies that offer healthcare subscription services and facilities with telemedicine alternatives are on the rise and have proven to positively impact patient care.
The pitfalls of stagnation
Not upskilling results in several unwanted outcomes:
- You risk losing out on a promotion. Your career progression may slow down or even come to a halt because you lack the skills needed for advancement. Nowadays, most companies are happy for you to upskill during office hours, so you don’t need to find time outside work for this.
- You struggle with your current role. As industries evolve and skill gaps increase, this scenario can affect your ability to excel at your job.
- You reduce your relevance. Employers value skills that match current industry demands. You could become less relevant (and desirable) to employers without new skills.
- You lower your earning potential: Many advanced roles offer higher salaries, often linked to specialized skills. Without upskilling, your earning potential is capped.
- You’re at a competitive disadvantage: Candidates with updated skills might stand out more favorably to employers when competing for jobs.
Five ways to upskill to remain relevant and highly sought
Career advancement demands a proactive approach — a commitment to continually expanding your knowledge and acquiring new abilities.
Reading books and other online resources
Reading books and exploring online resources are direct pathways to upskilling for professional growth. The common denominator behind every millionaire’s success is that they read for 30 minutes daily. So why not take a page from their book (pun intended)?
As a marketer looking to upskill your knowledge, immersing yourself in blogs, resources, and books curated explicitly for marketers can be incredibly beneficial. And if you aspire to be CEO or serve on a company’s board of directors, you’ll greatly benefit from learning more about Robert’s Rules of Order. Robert’s Rules of Order was a book published in 1876 by US Army Brigadier General Henry M. Robert to provide organizations with a guide to rules and codes for conducting orderly meetings.
Although times have changed from the 19th century to today, the meeting format is entirely new and different. This ancient set of rules still applies to today’s operating styles and continues to guide organizational leaders.
Whether you’re absorbing the latest developments in technology or mastering advanced techniques, reading empowers you with valuable information for your career advancement.
Embrace new tools and technology
A practical approach to upskilling for professional growth is immersing yourself in studying new technologies and tools that matter to your industry. As technology evolves, staying up-to-date with the latest advancements is crucial.
For example, let’s say you work in web development or security. In that case, you should familiarize yourself with JSON Web Tokens (JWTs), which are a standard way of transmitting information between parties in a secure and compact way.
By understanding how JWTs work, you can improve your authentication, authorization, and data protection skills. This is just one example of how you can upskill for professional growth by expanding your knowledge and applying it to real-world scenarios.
This upskilling strategy expands your skill set and positions you as an asset capable of driving innovation within your field.
Staying up-to-date with trends in your field
Keeping a strong pulse on industry trends is a great way to upskill. Early adopters of new working methods or trends always find immediate success.
In healthcare, nurses who track evolving patient care technologies can integrate new methods for accurate diagnoses, enhancing their skill set and patient outcomes. In the hospitality industry, an events manager who follows event planning trends can incorporate novel ideas and technologies, creating memorable client experiences. Meanwhile, in marketing, content creators who stay informed about SEO trends can optimize content for better visibility, boosting engagement and website traffic. Every field has its own applications. Here are some strategies that can help you.
Remaining informed about trends helps you align your skills with the demands of your industry.
Complete a certificated online course
Online courses for career development are becoming increasingly popular, with 90% of employees, according to one survey by LinkedIn, happy to offer their employees some form of digital learning. Their flexibility is a significant asset as you can fit them seamlessly into your schedule. Whether you’re a busy professional, parent, or anyone with commitments, these courses break barriers and offer choices.
The array of subjects covered by online courses lets you pinpoint precise skills to develop. From programming to leadership, these options are tailored to professional development across various industries. They’re also cost-effective, saving on expenses like commuting and materials. Recognized online courses offer certificates upon completion.
Elevate your soft skills
While technical skills are undoubtedly essential for excelling in your profession, the scope of career advancement extends beyond expertise related to your job. Some of the most highly-sought soft skills in 2023 include communication, time management, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Imagine a professional with impeccable technical knowledge but not how to manage client relationships. They might be good at delivering a project but don’t know how to nurture a relationship, which is crucial for long-term success. Individuals who excel in soft skills (read: build a skills gap) find themselves better equipped to navigate the intricate dynamics of workplaces.
Upskilling your soft skills for professional growth transforms you into a well-rounded professional capable of thriving in various scenarios.
How to make time for upskilling
We’re all busy people. So, finding time for upskilling can seem challenging. According to the 2023 Future of Jobs report, 44% of the core skills required for jobs will change over the next five years. Therefore, taking responsibility for your professional growth is in your best interest.
With deliberate planning and prioritization, incorporating upskilling into your routine is entirely feasible. Here are practical strategies to help you make time for enhancing your skills:
- Set clear goals. Whether learning a new programming language or improving your project management skills, clarity on goals keeps you on track.
- Create a learning schedule. Treat upskilling as an appointment. Set aside time slots for learning, just as you would for other things.
- Embrace microlearning. Spend 15–30 minutes daily reading a book instead of hours.
- Combine activities. Listen to industry-related podcasts while commuting or watch relevant videos on your lunch break.
- Use weekends: Reserve some of your weekends for more in-depth learning sessions, where you can delve into longer courses or projects.
- Eliminate digital distractions. During your designated upskilling time, silence notifications and avoid distractions to maximize focus.
Upskilling is the only pathway to continuous professional growth
Upskilling is vital for remaining relevant in today’s job market. In a world of constant change, those willing to learn and grow are better equipped to navigate new challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Upskilling ensures that you stay caught up as industries transform.
When you invest time and effort into learning new skills, you become a more valuable asset to your employer. This can lead to increased responsibilities, promotions, and even access to new job opportunities that might not have been available otherwise.
Employers appreciate individuals who are committed to their growth and can bring fresh insights and knowledge.
Additionally, upskilling contributes to personal satisfaction and fulfillment. Learning new things keeps your mind engaged and your work interesting. It can boost your confidence as you see yourself mastering new abilities. This accomplishment enhances your overall job satisfaction and creates a positive work environment.
We live in a time when upskilling is more accessible than ever. Online courses, workshops, and knowledge, in general, are readily available, making it convenient to learn at your own pace and on your schedule. By embracing upskilling, you embark on a continuous learning and growth journey that ultimately leads to professional success and personal fulfillment.
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