The role of formal education for employees in career mobility
While curiosity and the informal pursuit of knowledge is an important quality to have, when it comes to career mobility, the most important quality is to be able to demonstrate new skills and abilities.
To demonstrate skills, employers look for ways to validate what a candidate knows and what they can do to make them qualified for the role they are trying to fill.
For this purpose, having a formal record of learning facilitates this process for two reasons:
Credentials are signals: Completed credentials are recognized as key indicators of the skills employers are looking for, and
Skills can be tested in interviews: The skills gained through well-designed education programs are demonstrable when tested in the interview process
What’s the difference between formal and informal education?
Generally, formal education is education that is intentionally designed and delivered, and results in a credential (e.g. bachelor’s degree, certificate, license, etc.).
On the other hand, informal education is less structured, tends to be self-directed, and doesn’t usually result in a formal credential (e.g. a Udemy course, “micro” learning modules, YouTube videos, a digital e-book, etc.).
Formal learning is an essential part of achieving career mobility.
Employers look for degrees, certifications, and other credentials as important indicators that a candidate has gained the skills necessary for a given role.
Employers alone do not determine the value of education.
For individuals, formal education is an opportunity to build the right combination of:
What questions do employees ask when pursuing formal education as a means of achieving career mobility?
Choosing the right education program is critical for career mobility.
There are several questions that employees should ask when considering which education program will be best aligned with career mobility:
Is it aligned with my career interests and goals?
Will this program help me prepare for roles that are in demand?
How is this program assessed for quality and legitimacy?
What is the cost?
How is learning delivered (how, when, and where)?
Am I qualified for this program?
What support will I be able to access? (career centers, credit for X, disability accommodation, academic support, etc.)
Top benefits of ongoing learning for career mobility
Ongoing learning is exactly what it sounds like: learning all the time.
It happens both formally, such as earning a certificate, or completing employee training, and informally, such as reading a book on management or finding and watching a how-to video on YouTube.
There are several ways continuous learning becomes an advantage for those seeking career mobility:
1. Expand professional knowledge and expertise
Gaining new knowledge and expertise in a given field helps individuals ensure they understand important industry and economic trends that can impact their companies and careers.
This signals to employers that a potential candidate has a vested interest in their field, the tenacity to pursue new ideas, and the credibility to be trusted with important information and tasks.
2. Improve employability and marketability
Gaining new skills and qualifications, perhaps through employer-funded learning opportunities, signals to internal hiring teams and managers that an employee is ready to grow, and has the credentials to prove it.
Beyond this, it signifies to employers that a candidate has both expertise and strong personal motivation to continue growing.
3. Adapt to changing industry needs
Today, business priorities shift and new technologies emerge exponentially faster than any time in history. What was once the banking industry is now a booming technology industry, local grocery and restaurant chains are now e-commerce machines, and giants like Amazon have moved into cloud computing, pharmacy, streaming, and more.
In a world that is constantly changing, we need to be constantly learning.
Cultures of continuous learning empowers us to:
Keep our skills and knowledge up-to-date
Grow professionally and personally
Open doors to new career pathways
Ensure long-term career success
This leads agile workforces ready to take on the future of work and pivot at any moment.
4. Enhance confidence and personal growth
Learning is transformative, and extends well beyond labor market trends and into unique personal value.
Human beings do not have purely utilitarian needs. Because of that, it’s important to note that in addition to career mobility opportunities, completing a degree or credential can give graduates a sense of personal accomplishment, greater confidence, and a better understanding of who they are.