Learning is a never-ending process. New discoveries are made all the time; technology continues to innovate and evolve. As much as we want to rest on our laurels, content that we’ve mastered our professional skills, there’s always something new to learn. We live in a rapidly changing world and if you want to stay competitive you have to stay on top of those changes.
“Learning new skills may also help you safeguard your job as roles change and some become obsolete,” said Gina Pinch, Rio Salado College faculty chair for Business, Management, and Public Administration.
That’s why upskilling is so important. Upskilling means learning new skills and upgrading existing skills, developing new competencies while enhancing old ones to keep yourself on the cutting edge of your profession. Refreshing your professional skills can increase your career longevity while giving you new skills and knowledge that could prepare you to pivot to a new career path further down the line.
Four-Year Degrees: Not the Only Option
Upskilling does not mean you need to go get a four-year degree. Completing a certificate of completion program that is specifically designed around a professional skill you need can be a great way to “level up.” Many schools offer microcredentials, which are shorter programs that can help you develop a core competency in a shorter time frame. Two-year degrees are also a great option because they give you a foundation of skills and knowledge with the added benefit that if you decide to move on and get a four-year degree you’ll already have met quite a few of your general education requirements.
An important consideration is that not only are certificates and degrees are a great way to add depth to your resume, they can also help you increase your earning potential. Studies have found that workers with degrees tend to earn higher wages than those without them.
Look Into Employer-Backed Opportunities
If you’re thinking of upskilling, an important first step is to see what resources your current place of work has to offer. Many employers offer opportunities for professional development; some of them even form partnerships with educational institutions to offer unique training pathways designed to benefit people in your industry. Check to see if your workplace offers any scholarships, tuition assistance, or has partnerships with accredited institutions. If you’re lucky, you may end up not having to pay out of pocket for your upskilling!
It’s also important to talk to your employer about upskilling because it could impact your schedule. You may need to have certain days off or leave early to attend classes. Plus: doing this kind of professional development looks good! It shows how serious you are about your career and displays your commitment to being a better, more skilled professional.
Strengthen Your Soft Skills
While focusing on improving your “hard” career skills should take priority, don’t neglect your soft skills. Soft skills (also known as “people skills” or “workplace skills”) involve interpersonal skills that are relevant for a wide variety of industries. If you work with a team or are in a customer/client-facing role, adding well developed soft skills to your professional toolbox is important.
Soft skills include:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Creativity
- Empathy
- Negotiation
- Time management
Attending networking events can give you the opportunity to practice some of these skills. Taking classes in public speaking, improve performance, or meditation can give you a firm grounding in active listening, thinking creatively on your feet, communicating clearly, and developing a heightened sense of self-awareness that can sharpen your critical thinking skills.
Build Up Your Network as You Build Up Your Skillset
Upskilling also provides opportunities for growing your network. You’ll meet new people as you attend classes, training seminars, and conferences. Talking to fellow students who are in your line of work can give a fresh perspective on the work you do and clue you in to new approaches and techniques that could be worth adopting. Networking might also help you find a mentor who can provide guidance as you work on your professional development.
Upskilling Can Up Your Self-Confidence
An added benefit of refreshing your professional skills is that it can be a major confidence booster. When you develop a competency in your skills- a sense of mastery- that can give you a feeling of control and assurance that bolsters your self-esteem. Remember: confidence is a career skill. Being able to authentically project confidence can help you be a better public speaker, negotiate at meetings, make a great first impression at future job interviews, and instill feelings of trust in others. People want to put THEIR confidence in confident people because confident people come across as competent and skilled. A confident person is confident because they believe they can do the job; that lack of doubt is compelling.
Consider Your Options
Upskilling is also a good moment to reflect on your career path. Are you happy with where you’re at? Do you want to move forward on the path you’re on now or do you want to jump tracks to pursue something else? Have you met your professional goals?
“Do you see technology- such as AI- changing your industry in the future,” said Pinch.
Where do you want to be in five years and what can you learn NOW during this process of upskilling to get there? If you find the process of upskilling to be overwhelming and unfulfilling, it may be a warning sign that you’re in a professional cul-de-sac and need to do something else.
Article by Austin Brietta
Career Corner
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