When back-to-school time arrives, it signals the beginning of more growth and advancement for children, teens, and college students. However, working professionals should also be inspired by the time of year.
Back-to-school season is an ideal moment to examine your own job skills and consider how you can grow and expand, allowing you to take the next step forward in your career. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here’s a look at various approaches that can help improve your job skills.
Formal Education
For anyone seeking out a straightforward way to improve their skills and expand their knowledge, formal education is often the clearest option. Classroom-style environments offer exceptional structure. Plus, you usually have a chance to put any new skills to work as you learn, giving you some level of experience.
Whether you explore college classes, professional development courses, boot camps, or anything else, formal education can do more than just help you improve your capabilities; it could make you eligible for higher-level jobs. Since that’s the case, it’s a strategy worth considering.
Workplace Training
While formal education tends to happen outside of the workplace, training opportunities may be available internally. The benefit of this option also extends beyond skill growth. You get to improve your capabilities while on the job, reducing the need to spend time outside of work on your development. Plus, the skill areas typically align with existing gaps in your company, which could boost your productivity and open you up to opportunities to advance.
Finally, while formal education can come with a price tag, workplace training often doesn’t. That can be particularly important for younger professionals, as advancing their careers won’t bust their budgets.
Self-Study
In many industries, self-study is a viable way to improve your job skills. There are many resources available that aren’t necessarily formal courses. Blog posts, how-to videos, and similar options may help you learn at your own pace in a style you prefer.
You could also turn to your local library to find instructional books that cover skills you want to acquire. Ultimately, it allows you to construct a learning program that’s targeted to your needs and preferences, which could make it easier to follow.
Mentor
Having a mentor can be an excellent way to keep your job skills sharp. In many cases, a mentor can pass down their expertise, which may help you acquire a new capability. Plus, they can open doorways, which may make accessing other learning options easier.
If you don’t currently have a mentor, make sure you focus on establishing the connection first. When the bond is stronger, and the relationship feels balanced, your mentor is more likely to offer you support and guidance, including skill-building opportunities, whenever they are able.
If a new job opportunity is just what you need to improve your skills and boost your career, contact us to see how A.R. Mazzotta can assist with your search, or visit our website to review our open jobs today.