Career Growth: 3 Biggest Benefits of Continuing Your Education

In a competitive job market, it is important that you stay up-to-date with what's changing in your line of work. Some jobs, like medicine, require you to constantly educate yourself because of new research and discoveries. Other jobs only require you to refresh your memory. 

There are many different ways to continue your education. You could earn a higher degree, add a specialization or focus, get a certificate in a related field, renew your license, or attend trainings, seminars, and meetings. You can also take online courses, read books and articles, and even watch informative videos. You can even learn something completely new if that's something you want to do.

Here are three benefits to continuing your education:

1. Monetary Benefits

You can make more money.

It isn't a secret that higher education usually comes with making more money. However, this does not necessarily mean that you should go for your Ph.D. --- unless it's necessary for job advancement. For some jobs, just a simple training or certificate can result in higher pay. In fact, with many trade jobs, you can get licensed and continue your education by taking online courses.

You can make yourself more marketable.

When you increase your education and improve your skills, you become more valuable to companies. With more skills and knowledge to add to your resume, you become more attractive to employers; and therefore, your job prospects are higher.

You can also make more connections with people in your field. Trainings, conferences, and other events allow you to network and create new business connections. Even in a virtual or online world, you are able to connect with others through video chats and messaging services.

2. Personal Development

Expand Your Knowledge

With a variety of online courses, you're able to learn about anything you're interested in. You don't have to be looking for a job in a certain field if you're just wanting to know more about it. 

Explore New Hobbies

Maybe you want to improve your drawing skills, but you don't necessarily want to become an artist. Or maybe you have an interest in psychology, but you have no interest in becoming a psychotherapist. Learning is a lifelong journey, and if you want to learn more about a particular topic, you should go for it!

A Sense of Pride

The saying "knowledge is power" is not an overrated statement. Knowing a variety of things helps you to become a more well-rounded person. You can also feel a great sense of pride from expanding your knowledge.

3. Health Benefits?

Does more education actually make you live longer?

Studies have shown that there may even be a connection between more education and living longer. Once again, this doesn't necessarily mean obtaining a Master's degree or a Doctoral degree. This finding correlates to the fact that more education equals more money, and more money equals more access to health resources.

Personal Development

Going along with personal development, you can read articles or take online courses in subjects like nutrition and fitness to enhance your knowledge about health. Just the simple act of educating yourself on health and putting what you've learned into practice can help increase your lifespan.

Conclusion

There are hardly any disadvantages to continuing your education. For some, the costs will be higher, but in most cases, the monetary reward pays off in the end. Even if you're retired, you can continue your education through personal development. With plenty of resources at hand, almost anyone can take an online course on a topic they're interested in, or even check out a book at a local library. Every little bit of knowledge is powerful.

Whatever your line of work is, it is important to understand how continuing your education in your field will benefit you. Whether it's to make more money, grow your network, or just a personal interest, learning is a lifelong process.