Charleston Jobs Today Article

Education and Training

Education and training are very important in determining the type of job you get as well as the type of advancement you can expect in the future. You may need only a minimum amount to get hired, but chances are you will need to continually expand and enhance your skills if you want to 'move up' and reach higher levels in the future.

What kind of education and training do you need?

The type of education and training you need will vary tremendously based on your field, discipline, profession, and current education/training level. In general, those who work in business and professional jobs are best served by advancing their training through college degrees (bachelors, masters, doctorate, MBA, etc.), while those who make their living in the trade fields are best served by taking additional licensing and certification training.

Before launching into any education or training program, start by asking yourself about your goals. What to you want to accomplish? Do you want to advance within your current career field? Do you want to change careers? Do you want a broad, generalized education program? Do you want a very specific, highly focused education program? These are questions you must ask yourself and consider very carefully, because the answers will dictate the direction you go.

Once you have established your education and training goals, find out more about exactly what kinds of education you will need to accomplish those goals. For instance, if you want to advance within your existing career, look at others who are currently in the position you want to achieve and find out what kinds of education and training they have. Introduce yourself to people who have achieved the same kind of goal you are setting for yourself and take advantage of their knowledge and experience.

The same holds true if you want to change careers. Find someone who is working in that field or career and find out all you can about what it takes to get started. Perhaps you can 'job shadow' them for a day, or simply set up a 30 minute meeting during which you can ask questions and gather information.

Find a career counselling center in your community, such as at a local college, university, or job placement center. There you will find experienced counsellors who can help you better define what you want to do and the kind of education and training you will need to do it.

Where can you find additional education and training?

In the past, finding additional education and training meant looking for a college, university, trade school, or the like, within your own community. Now, however, with the tremendous growth of online education and training resources you are no longer limited to just what is within driving distance of your home.

Start by looking around your local community. Is there a college, university, trade school, or the like, nearby? If so, visit the campus and talk with a counselor or admissions person. Find out if you would need to physically take classes at that location, or if the organization offers online courses as well. You might even be able to get some credit for your existing work experience. Take notes on what you find, and pick up whatever written information you can gather so it is easier to review things later on.

Take a look online as well. Depending on the type of education and training you want to receive, chances are it is offered somewhere on the internet. Research your options carefully to ensure the program(s) you are considering are legitimate and appropriate. Look for accreditation and certification; if you are not sure what a particular accreditation means, do some more research to find out if it is meaningful or not. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the organization offering the program is legitimate. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or have doubts about the quality or legitimacy of a program, do not sign up for anything or send them any money until your doubts are resolved.

If you are having trouble finding the kind of education and training you need, talk to others you may know who are seeking the same kind of education and training. Compare notes on what you have found, and share information with each other. If there are several of you working for the same employer, talk with the human resources or training department at work to find out if the employer can help. Some employers are willing to bring certain types of education and training directly into the workplace if it will benefit a large enough number of employees.

Employer support for continuing education and training

The cost of receiving continuing education and training can be significant, so ask your employer what programs are available to assist you with these expenses. Some employers offer generous educational benefits, such as reimbursement for tuition, books and supplies, and the like. Your employer might even be willing to pay some or all of the cost of additional training if it is directly related to your job and they see the potential for a tangible benefit to the bottom line.

Many employers also offer some flexibility in terms of work hours and time off when you are involved in continuing education and training. Talk with your employer ahead of time to find out what policies and procedures are in place. You may need to submit paperwork verifying the education you are receiving in order to adjust your work hours, or you may simply need to make advance arrangements with your immediate supervisor.

Even if your employer does not provide any direct support for additional education and training, chances are there is at least one person in the organization that will be happy to offer you encouragement, guidance, and moral support. This kind of mentoring can be critical to your success, so take a look around the organization to find someone who might be willing to fulfill this role for you. Make an appointment with that person and ask him or her for some mentoring help. In most cases, the person will be flattered by the request and be more than willing to help you out.

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