Posted On: March 1, 2010
You can never underestimate the value of acquiring more knowledge. College attendance is higher today, than it has ever been in the past. It’s quite common for an individual to finish high school and then enter some sort of learning institution such as a vocational school, community college, or a university in order to become qualified for a specific job. Because of this commonality it makes it harder for businesses to choose new applicants because everyone has similar degrees and work experience.
A good way to make yourself stand out amongst other job seekers is to further your education even more. Many careers have specialized areas of expertise in which a person can study. For instance, if you are training to work in the HVAC/R field it’s good to know that those who are specialized in consumer refrigeration or large-scale air conditioning units can earn more due to their expertise. The same goes for workers in the automotive industry. An auto technician who is specialized in luxury vehicle repair can earn double what an average garage tech can in a year.
Employees who have been veterans in their field should be aware that almost all careers are changing and improving. Although experience can be a big bonus in the job market, older employees can lose their jobs to new graduates because they aren't as up-to-date on changes made to their industry. In the past few years many experienced employees are returning to school to become specialized in a field or earn a master’s degree in order to get a leg up in the work force. Another good suggestion for seasoned workers is to seek out classes in their spare time that will keep them as educated as a new graduate. Long-term experience combined with tenacity for keeping-up with the younger crowd of applicants can make one stand out heads above the rest.
You might feel exhausted at the idea of returning to school when you have just finished two to five years of post-secondary education, but the benefits will greatly help you in the job market. It’s important to be reminded that on average individuals who earn an associate’s degree can make up to $10,000 more than applicants with just a high school diploma and those with a bachelor’s degree can earn up to $20,000 more a year in salary than those with an associate’s degree.