Although there are a handful of success stories of people who have been able to support them without formal learning, such as Steve Jobs or Richard Branson, the reality for most of us is that education can open doors and help us move forward in our careers in a way that hard work and talent alone simply can not.
But what can you do if the typical university route does not work for you or is inaccessible? There are a number of reasons why the university is not right for you, from lack of time or money to the fact that you do not know exactly where you want to go in your career.
Whatever the case, if you decided at the time that the university does not suit you, but you still want to learn and drive your career forward, here are some alternative ways to get further education and acquire qualifications.
Consider a certificate course
There are many professions that you can attain without a university degree, and in many cases it will be enough to successfully complete a certificate from an accredited education provider in order to get off to a good start for far less than a degree would cost. This includes jobs in accounting and finance, real estate, tourism and hospitality, project management, fitness training and others.
Many certificate courses can even be attended in full or in part online, so you can plan your studies based on your work and other commitments. However, if you choose to do so, make sure that you conduct your research and select an online learning facility that is properly accredited and offers adequate academic support.
When in doubt, the National Education Statistics Center offers a College Navigator tool that allows you to check a school's accreditation and even check things like closure and retention rates.
Invest in short courses and workshops
If you do not have time for a study or certificate course, you can use short courses or workshops to close your knowledge gaps and show employers that you are serious about your career development.
Short courses cover all areas, from soft skills such as communication and leadership to industry-specific skills such as accounting, web design or photography. So think about what skills you want to develop or in which areas you want to improve.
Attend introductory courses online for free
If learning is your primary goal and you are not too much concerned with qualifications, there are many courses or MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) that you can take online and most of them cost you nothing.
Among the most popular providers are Coursera, EdX and Khan Academy. While some of them offer graduation certificates, it is important to know that most employers still see such certificates skeptical. However, MOOCs are a great way to find out about a specific topic or skill for free, or even to find out if you're actually interested in a particular area of study before making a financial commitment.
Use your experience to qualify
Even if you have been in the workforce for several years and feel competent in your area of expertise, there is a good chance that you will encounter problems in changing jobs or finding a promotion if you have no formal qualifications to assist.
In this case, prior knowledge recognition (RPL) can help you transform the skills and knowledge you have acquired through informal learning such as work, training or volunteering into a recognized qualification, without having to start from scratch.
If you already have a bachelor's degree but would like to improve your career prospects through a degree, you may be able to more quickly understand your MBA by transforming your experience and applying for credit exceptions from a university. A day with A fast company.
Opt-in to the area you want to enter
One of the biggest hurdles for undergraduate students is lack of experience. Volunteering in the field you are hoping for can help you learn in the workplace, acquire transferable skills, and make contacts in an industry that can be invaluable as you start looking for a job.
Another great benefit of volunteering is that you have the opportunity to explore the career you are interested in and make an informed decision rather than spending a lot of money on a degree or diploma.
Websites like Volunteer Match or Idealist can help you find volunteer opportunities that match your skills and interests. Just make sure everything you end up doing suits well and help you develop or sharpen your skills in any way.
