Six Reasons Why You Should Continue Studying While Working Full-Time

Are you currently in college and planning your next steps after graduation? Or are you already working and wondering when’s an ideal time to take a break for further studies? What if we told you there’s a way to continue studying without taking a break from working? 

Before you dismiss the thought saying ‘too much to handle’, allow us to let you in on a tried and tested secret – it’s quite doable! There are ways to continue learning while working, and it’s important to continue your studies! We’re in an era where specialised professions are in demand and an additional certification could do wonders in increasing your job prospects. Think better roles, higher salaries, and bigger organisations… the perks are endless! Want to make the most of such an opportunity? Let’s learn how!

Do More, Gain More 

We live in the age of multitasking. I’m pretty sure you’re doing more than just reading this article right now. And just like we multitask with smaller tasks, it helps to multi-task with larger goals too. To top it all, the job market is tough and the competition is fierce. You’ll need to be armed with certifications to break through the clutter and come across as the MVP (Most Valuable Professional) in the industry. One of the many benefits of continuing your studies is developing a new skill set that could enhance your talent as a professional. And there’s no time limit – you can enrol for a course at any point during your career!

When we talk about continuing education, we don’t just mean getting your master’s. Certificate courses, diploma courses, and even webinars or seminars can count as continuing education. Each of these offers offline and online options, allowing you to choose your preferred mode of learning. If your job is demanding or involves long hours, an online course will allow you to study at your own pace without having to stick to fixed class timings. If you have fixed working hours with relatively free evenings, you could join offline classes for working professionals that generally take place in the evening. 

At first, it might seem quite overwhelming to balance work and education, especially when both activities demand time and effort. However, this would be a good time to focus on the outcome – the effort you put into balancing the two today won’t just make you a better professional, it will also help you develop some much-needed workplace skills and offer a host of benefits! Let’s check out some of them right here:

1. Improved time management skills

You would’ve already mastered the basics of time management during school, while you rushed from school to classes to extracurriculars every day. Think of this as taking those skills to the next level! Go back to your timetable days and plan your schedule in a similar manner. Ensure that you plan for buffers, and set calendar reminders on your phone to help you stick to your schedule. Not only will this help you manage your work and studies successfully, you’ll also become a pro at managing your time!

2. Higher salary and more opportunities for promotion

Even a short-term certification course has the potential to increase your chances of getting promoted. Employers frequently view your continuing pursuit of education as a wonderful cause to promote you. They want to reward you for the time you’ve spent working on yourself. Your new degree will also make you a strong contender for promotions or better, advanced job opportunities.

3. Opportunities for networking

Joining a course also gives you an opportunity to network with other working professionals and faculty. For specialised courses, the faculty generally includes professionals pursuing a full-fledged career in that specific domain. It’s a great way to build connections and pass your CV around – you never know who might help you land your next role!
Networking is helpful for enhancing your skill set, staying current with industry trends, and better understanding and carrying out your own professional growth. Your connections to the business world also enable you to comprehend the course readings more deeply. 

4. Increasing Your Marketability

Everyone has a basic degree. What makes you stand out? For every job that you apply, you will be one among thousands. It goes without saying that additional certifications set you ahead of your competition. Even if you fulfil the basic requirements for a job, additional degrees or certifications will definitely work in your favour. Publishing those additional certifications on your LinkedIn profile will also grab the attention of recruiters, bringing jobs to you instead of just you looking for them.

5. Increase knowledge and work experience

Even if your job has nothing to do with your education, the soft skills you develop in class and at work, such as communication, cooperation, and adaptability, will be very helpful to you in advancing your career. In essence, there are some soft talents that you can’t really learn at work but can be improved with the right education. By increasing self-confidence and believing in yourself, coupled with solid information and skills, you will improve the way you present yourself.

6. Increases your ability to make a career transition

If you’re ready to move into a new field, you may need to start with a course that qualifies you for your new path. We know you have a full-time job already but if you are interested in another field, then educating yourself for the same will make the whole transition process easier. Learning new skills through continuing education is crucial to prepare for a career transition.

Clearly, there are many benefits of deciding to continue your education even after having a job! We are sure it sounds difficult but trust us, two years of managing this and you might reach new levels. Here’s how to make it a little easier for yourself!

Sounds Like a Challenge? Here’s How You Can Do It

Combining multiple tasks can be burdensome and unpleasant. There may be times when you may wonder why you decided to do both at once. Small steps can help you achieve the larger goal! 

• Update Your Employer

Inform your employer about your intentions and let them know how you plan to juggle working and studying. Speak to them to understand if they can create a more study-friendly schedule for you – especially if your classes clash with your work timings. It is crucial that you let your employer know that you are studying right away so they are prepared. This also shows your desire to learn new skills and expand your knowledge, as well as your commitment to your career.

• Create a Plan

This isn’t the kind of task where you can wing it and hopes to achieve success. You’re going to be juggling two important tasks together, so you need to ensure every bit of it is planned in detail. Your course will share a schedule with you – use it as a base to plan your daily schedule. If a meeting is planned outside of your working hours, your schedule will be able to help you determine if you can participate in it, or if you need to reschedule your studies for another time to accommodate the meeting.

• Use your free time wisely

While planning, ensure that you include buffers. Utilise these buffers to cover up any pending tasks. Observe your schedule initially to notice your free time slots. If your travel time is relatively free, make the most of it to listen to podcasts about the topics you’re studying, or address emails you’ve been unable to respond to. If you take a long lunch break at work, capitalise on it to complete your coursework and assignments.

• Consider Night and Weekend Classes

Several universities and colleges offer specific programmes that can be completed with just night or weekend classes. This is the best option for people who work full-time yet want to earn a degree through a traditional classroom approach. If you prefer learning in a classroom environment, night school or weekend classes would be your best option.

• Online Programmes Can Be Your Saviour

If you are self-motivated, then online programs can be your best friend! It’s now simpler than ever to earn a degree online thanks to the increasing demand. Many colleges, including some of the most prestigious universities in the country, offer degree programmes that can be completed from the convenience of your home. As long as you meet the deadlines, you can typically do your assignments at any time of the day or on any day of the week.

Balance Work And Play Like a Pro

Start your continuing education journey right away to prepare for the job you always desired. Don’t wait to make a change in your life. If you still aren’t sure how to or what course to continue with, we at Mentoria are here to guide you! 

Mentoria’s career guidance programme enables you to choose your perfect fit from 3 streams, 850+ courses, and 12,000+ careers, and discover what will bring out the best in you. Want to learn more about how you can grow in your current field? Or curious about which fields you can transition to without having to start from scratch? Book a career counselling session with our experts to get all the answers!