Six Missteps in Learning
Many of the problems people face with regard to their education can be narrowed down to concerns about how to approach their learning needs. Based on my interactions with non-traditional students, here are my picks for the top six career-learning missteps.
No Career Goal in Mind
Some people ask if they should go into business, architecture, IT or some other field. What they are really asking is: Is this field secure and lucrative? But they haven’t said anything about their desires and strengths, and while they may have enough interest in the field to suggest it, they haven’t researched the career possibilities.
Not Considering Your Interests
When considering a field, look into the careers available and be honest with yourself about your interests. You should do a thorough examination of your work style, the subjects that interest you, the restrictions and demands of various careers, your lifestyle expectations and the long-term health of the industry you are choosing. Identifying a career goal provides focus and will inform your choice of educational options.
What’s Hot? Not!
If you employ a jump-on-the-bandwagon approach to career planning, be prepared to hate your next job within a year. Taking a job for a time because you have to pay the mortgage is perfectly understandable, but if you have to spend time and money to get a degree, certification or license for that job, stop and think. It makes no sense to invest money and energy in a career path you’ll want to abandon in a year.
Not Using Your Network
Career and education choices are big decisions, but you’re not the first person to make them. Many people — people you know or can talk with — have had to make similar decisions. Take advantage of their knowledge and experience:
- Current and Former Colleagues: If you seek to advance your current career, you are literally surrounded by experts.
- Your College: If you earned a degree, you may have also earned a lifetime supply of advice and contacts. Investigate your school’s alumni and career services via the Web or phone. Search for information on other alumni in particular fields of interest, or ask about talking to a career counselor.
- Your Professional Associations: If you don’t belong to one, join one. Go to meetings and talk to the people in your field of choice. They have probably encountered the choices you face.
- Your Personal Contacts: Are you an admin assistant who longs to become a chef? Email everyone you know and ask if they know a chef. Don’t be surprised if your best friend’s aunt’s next-door neighbor is head chef at some hot restaurant. Be sure to follow up.
- You’re Prospective Education Provider: These folks are biased, of course, but use admissions department resources to find out about programs and their success in preparing professionals for the workforce.
Too Narrow a Focus
Some people are so focused on getting a specific credential or degree to add to their resume that they fail to consider longer-term education needs. Do some research to find out what you don’t know and what you will next need to learn?
Seeing Only a Piece
With so many different learning experiences available, it can be hard to make comparisons. When comparing a traditional degree to an online degree, for example, list the components: course requirements, time commitment, resources available, costs, and reputation and lifestyle implications. Know all your needs and what you are paying for before choosing.
Making education decisions is always difficult. But don’t scrimp on the research that should go into the decision. Avoiding these six missteps will save you time and money, and help you secure the most productive and interesting education possible.
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.