Living the American dream is impossible without a source of income. If you want to achieve the lifestyle you desire, then you need to make money to buy the things that you want like a car, a house, groceries, and all those monthly bills.
Being a member of the workforce in the state of Tennessee can look different for everyone. Depending on the industry you are interested in, the skills required to find and hold onto a job are necessary if you want to stay employed and have enough money to accomplish personal goals.
This is why education is so important for workers. Companies want to see that you have the ability to learn, but they also want to know that you already have some applicable skills for the position you are interested in. Let’s go through some educational tips that can help you find better prospects as a worker in Tennessee.
Determine Your Learning Preferences
The concept of different learning preferences has not been discussed very much in the past. Today, it is becoming more essential for a good education. Not everyone learns the same way. Some people absorb information best in a physical classroom setting with groups of other students. However, others may prefer one-on-one mentoring to help them retain information and apply it practically. Understanding your tendencies is the first step to pursuing an effective education at any level. Before you invest any money or time into furthering your education or upskilling, consider taking a learning style assessment.
Consider Your Budget for Education
As a member of the workforce, you may have already spent thousands on an undergraduate degree or higher. At the very least, you may be paying back student loans for the next 15 or even 30 years. This might limit your budget for further education. Though going back to school is an option, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives for learning. Fortunately, in 2023, the Internet provides many online courses that can further your education without having to take out additional student loans. For example, you could study for the Tennessee contractor’s license exam completely online, something that was not possible a decade or so ago.
Certifications Vs Courses
The industry and positions you are interested in may or may not require certifications. This should play a major role in what type of education you pursue. Are you interested in marketing positions? Then free certifications for subjects like digital marketing or search engine optimization could be enough to secure a job in this sector. Are you simply trying to become a more attractive candidate to employers? Then taking courses that teach skills like job interview mastery or resume writing can accomplish that, which could be incredibly helpful given recent job interview statistics. Other industries may require more intense certification courses that you have to pay for. Choose the educational path that employers want to see for your desired position.
Understand Upskilling Vs Reskilling
Your educational endeavors should also depend on the type of professional path you want to pursue. For example, if you want to stay within the industry you are currently in but obtain a higher position, then upskilling is the way to go. This simply means that you are expanding on existing skill sets that will make you more effective in an advanced role to the current position. Reskilling refers to learning new skills that might take your career in a different direction. Perhaps you want to switch to a new industry entirely or at least try out a different department in the same industry. Learning a skill that is quite different from your current knowledge will be required in this case.
Learn for the Fun of it
Maybe you are not sure where you want your professional aspirations to go, but you still want to keep exercising your brain to promote mental health and reach personal goals. This type of education can make you a better worker as well, sharpening your mind overall. Just because you are not specifically learning job-related skills does not mean that learning for the fun of it provides no value for workers in Tennessee. You could decide to learn a new language with apps like Duolingo. Perhaps it is time to take up a hobby like woodworking with the help of Youtube tutorials. Self-education is seldom a bad thing, and it often yields stronger mental fortitude, so why not learn new things for the fun of it?
An Engaged Mind Yields a More Appealing Worker
There are plenty of reasons to invest in education as a member of the Tennessee workforce. The obvious benefit is learning new skills that could help you perform your responsibilities more effectively or make you appealing to future employers. Even if you just learn new skills for personal reasons, this exercise in education promotes health for your brain. Engaging your mind through learning can improve your mental capacity and your ability to problem solve, which is crucial for most jobs. No matter what you decide to learn, you are more likely to become a better worker as a result.