Everyone says lifelong learning is good for you. That's about as inspiring as being told to take your vitamins. Need a bit more motivation? Here are MonsterLearning's top 10 immediate, practical reasons you need to expand your knowledge and keep learning.
1. Your Livelihood Depends on It.
There aren't many career fields whose practices have stayed static. Information technology gains have changed the way the majority of us do our jobs. The Department of Labor has the new 21st Century Workforce Initiative to anticipate the changes in education needed to cope with a "fundamental transformation for all industries." Are you ready?
2. You Need to Keep Your Certification Up-to-Date.
Many employees with professional certifications must keep learning to stay current and retain their certification. Lawyers, teachers, medical practitioners and a number of other professionals must take courses to fulfill professional development requirements.
3. You Want to Be Satisfied with Your Position.
Monster's own surveys suggest that as education increases, so does confidence in one's next career step. It makes sense; the more educated you are about your field, the more you'll know about your prospects and potential.
4. You Want to Earn More.
In a March 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that median incomes increase dramatically with advanced degrees. Bachelor's degree holders earned an average of $54,689 in 2005, while those with master's, professional or doctoral degrees earned $79,946. Those with less than a high school diploma earned about $19,915, while those with a high school diploma only earned $29,448. Additionally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the middle 50 percent of high school guidance counselors earn between $36,120 and $60,990 and the middle 50% of high school teachers earn betwen $43,580 to $48,690. Earn another degree, and you could bump your earning power to the higher end of that spectrum.
5. You Have a Powerful New Tool for Learning: The Internet.
E-learning provides access to thousands of learning opportunities no matter where you live. The learning industry is exploding, driven by global competition, a shortage of skilled workers, the growth of the Internet and the rapid pace of change in what we need to know. The Sloan Consortium, a consortium of insitutions and organizations committed to quality online education, reports that almost 3.5 million students took at least one online course during the fall term of 2006, nearly 10 percent more than the number reported the previous year.
6. You No Longer Need to Complete Your Education by 22.
Students are no longer confined to a certain age group. If you make the decision to go back to school, you certainly won't be alone. According to a 2006 NCES report, "44 percent of surveyed adults reported having participated in formal adult educational activities." This percentage translates into more than 93 million adults nationwide who are taking adult learning classes, according to the survey.
7. Colleges and Universities Are Reaching Out to You.
Nearly all learning institutions actively seek lifelong learners and offer alternatives to traditional daytime classroom learning. There are night sessions, working semester programs, weekend learning and other special programs to accommodate people who can't be full-time learners, in addition to e-learning opportunities.
8. Employers Support Continued Learning.
Monster's surveys find the majority of respondents have employers who support ongoing education, including benefits such as financial aid for employee education. This also extends to the education community, a group in a special position to understand the benefit of continued education and may even spring to cover part or all of your tuition.
9. There's an Explosion of Learning Opportunities.
With the proliferation of new ways to learn, you don't have to follow traditional pathways -- what counts is results. You can build your own learning program by taking an accredited course or professional development seminar, attending a conference, joining a professional organization, subscribing to a trade journal or reading a book.
10. You've Got Competition.
The number of people entering the workforce with post-secondary and post-baccarlaureate degrees is increasing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, for the years 2000 to 2005, the number of bachelor's degree holders increased from 15.5 percent to 17.2 percent and master's degree holders increased from 8.9 percent to 10 percent. If you're not willing to go back and get a master's, a colleague you know probably is. Guess who'll have a more marketable resume in two years?
In the current workforce climate, you have to stay on top of the career you have and do more to get ahead. But the educational world has never been more accommodating to lifelong learners. Whatever your learning style or personal career goals, MonsterLearning can help. Get inspired, and then search the database to find learning opportunities that can keep your career moving.
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