Having an ongoing impact at work requires an ongoing commitment to learning. We often see this in the workplace; the best leaders and colleagues are the ones who keep evolving and stay curious and hungry for new knowledge.
While what you learn will always change, learning itself has and will continue to be one of the best methods for staying relevant, competitive, and impactful.
We explore the benefits of continued learning in your career, from innovation at work to industry reputation and fulfillment in your job.
Why continuous learning is linked to success
Thomas Corley did a five-year study on 200 self-made millionaires. What did they all have in common? They read two or more books per month, and not just for fun.
Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Jack Ma are all voracious readers, and some live by the five-hour rule of spending at least an hour a day – or five hours a work week – reading. This is a small but powerful example of how learning comes in various forms, and it’s a daily practice adopted by many business leaders.
If we take a closer look within businesses, we see that upskilling is closely related to talent recruitment, retention, job satisfaction, and earning potential.
Amazon and Gallup conducted a comprehensive survey into the benefits of upskilling. Around 66% of US workers surveyed said upskilling had raised their standard of living and quality of life. What happens if their learning continues consistently? Those workers earn, on average, 9% more than those who aren’t regularly upskilling.
Continuous learning is also a big incentive for switching jobs; 48% of US workers would go to a new job if it offered skills training opportunities.
What’s more, employees who have upskilled are 17% more likely to be in what they consider a good job. Gallup defines this as experiencing high levels of satisfaction across 11 dimensions of work that employees view as important, and range from stable and predictable pay to having a sense of purpose and the power to change things, enjoying day-to-day work, career advancement, and job security.
Here are seven benefits of continued learning in your career:
- You’ll stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape
The technological landscape refreshes itself with new updates and innovations faster than many can adjust, creating roles that barely existed a couple of years ago. Learning will help you keep up with the pace of change, but consistent learning can take you a step further. By understanding (or even expecting) the changes afoot, you’ll be able to better preempt and prepare to leverage new technologies.
- You’ll be able to innovate and create
Learning opens your mind to new and more creative and efficient ways of doing things, and when you couple experience with ongoing learning, it leads to innovative thinking.
This is exactly what happened to Kelli Wingfield. She was looking for a new challenge and learning opportunity, which she found on the King’s Product Management Career Accelerator. After the first course Kelli said she was already approaching challenges differently. Six months later, she was promoted to Product and Delivery Director at her company. Read her story here.
- It contributes to job security and career progression
Digital economy jobs are evolving, and employers estimate that 44% of worker’s skills will be disrupted in the next five years. This has created a digital skills gap, as the employment market moves towards jobs in data analysis and big data, AI and machine learning, digital marketing and strategy, and process automation. However, it’s also created an opportunity. To meet new digital demands, learning and on-the-job training will become common workplace strategies for achieving business goals. With the right company and learning experience, your career progression could go faster than you thought possible.
- It opens up doors to networking and collaboration
A great learning experience involves networking and collaborating with peers of all ages and levels of experience. Workshops, seminars, and online forums expose you to different viewpoints and can lead to mentorship opportunities and partnerships.
- It builds on your reputation
A willingness to continuously learn new skills – for example, a new programming language or design tool – is a great plus on your CV; it demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and industry evolution. It’s a sign that you’re self-disciplined, resilient yet flexible, and can embrace change – qualities that employers value highly.
- You stay ahead of AI and automation
Technologies such as AI, IoT, quantum computing, 5G, digital labour, and augmented and virtual reality will change tech professions across the board, making it important to stay ahead of these developments and be ready to jump into in-demand tech roles created by them – or to work with them.
- It’s personally fulfilling and keeps you intellectually engaged
Constantly engaging with new concepts, acquiring new skills, and conquering new challenges gives you a sense of achievement. Continuing to learn also keeps your brain working optimally, slowing down cognitive and memory decline.
The best avenues for continued learning
Online education has made lifelong learning a real possibility, no matter where you live, what your day looks like, or how old you are. While there are a host of courses you can do for free, and there’s nothing wrong with watching online video tutorials, employers will always be looking for accredited courses and proof of real-world experience. These are the learning options that employers take note of:
Develop in-demand skills that last
FourthRev Career Accelerators have career development at the core of the learning model. The six-month programmes are designed by thought leaders from the world’s best universities and industry companies, such as Tableau, Bank of England, and Sky. Through the holistic learning framework, you’ll learn how to make both an immediate and lasting impact in your career, setting you up for sustainable career success and results. This is how they work.
Get your industry certifications
Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned tech specialist, when tech recruiters evaluate your resume, they often start by looking at your certifications. This is because they want candidates who’ve mastered a particular technology or product, such as those created by AWS, Microsoft, or CISCO. Recruitment agency Robert Half has compiled a list of some of the most valuable IT certifications today.
Stay on top of trends and learn from the experts
Not all learning is rewarded with a certificate, but there’s still a lot to gain from attending tech conferences and workshops, listening to podcasts, following industry leaders and creative thinkers, reading blogs, and subscribing to newsletters.
Avenues for continued learning are plenty; always remember that the quality of your learning is as important as how quickly you’re able to learn it. When you get this balance right, you can feel reassured that you’re learning the right things at the right time.
Elodie Hudson’s story is one that reminds us that learning is possible at any stage of a career. After 16 years in education, Elodie decided to pursue a new career path in data analytics. The LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator gave her the confidence and skills to transition careers. This is what she thought of the programme.
