5 Reasons to Upgrade Your Skills to Take Your Career to the Next Level

It's back-to-school season, but the kids are likely not the only ones returning to classrooms.

In Singapore's tight talent market, where employers are more careful than ever about the people they deem fit for the job, competition for available roles and other company benefits has gotten intense.

In a bid to take their careers to the next level, more professionals are opting to join part-time and full-time university programmes. If you’re on the fence about picking up the books again, these five things will give you just the nudge you need.

1. Elevate your skills and potential
   Industries, sectors and businesses keep evolving. How can you keep your skills razor sharp?Begin by viewing yourself as a constant work-in-progress - always improving to become the best version of yourself. The only way to add value to your position as an employee is to keep striving to learn beyond your job scope. As you learn, you’ll come to realise how much you still do not know. Work on your own strengths or carve a niche for yourself. You’ll never know when the additional knowledge will come in handy.
   
   
2. Earn yourself that promotion
   Make sure to share your desires to continue studying and gain new qualifications with your supervisors and colleagues - it could help clinch that promotion or pay rise. Additionally, many employers are more than happy to support (financially or otherwise) some employee’s tertiary aspirations, especially if continuing your studies are aligned with their business goals and can help push you to the next level of your career.If you’re aiming to land that fancy new job title then understand the requirements of the role and make the decision to further your studies.
   
   
3. Expose yourself to new career options
   Do you fall into any of the following categories?
   
   ● You’re at the peak of your career
   ● You’re extremely comfortable in your job
   ● There’s no challenge on your job
   ● There’s nothing left to learn or to adapt to
   
   Think that sounds great? Well that’s a problem. Don’t get us wrong, we’re happy you’ve found a career you love, but needs can change and industries will transform. If you’re no longer challenged at work, chances are, you’re stagnating - and that makes you dispensable.
   
   Having been in the workforce for a while, you should know your industry well. This will give you a better sense of other sectors that may interest you. Then choose your new course and qualification to help land a role elsewhere.
   
   
4. Enhance your professional network
   Wherever you choose to study, you are likely to meet a range of individuals from different walks of life and professional backgrounds. While you may not be working in the same industry or function, these people may become valuable business contacts in the future.
   
   As you part ways with your classmates, stay in touch with them. You’ll never know what business or career opportunities come up.
   
   
5. Command a higher salary
   Sure there are a handful of companies that view qualifications as secondary to work performance. But educational qualifications still have an effect on your long-term earning potential. A majority of companies here still use your qualifications as a benchmark for the pay they believe you deserve. That isn’t changing anytime soon.

 Planning to take your career to the next level? Here's an extensive list of courses & certifications to choose from.

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