Why New Courses Are Failing You
What you need to know before enrolling in a new course
Background
James has been stuck in his career for a couple of years. He had been working in one position for many years.
Of course, like many other professionals, James believed he was far better off at his current job. He credits his predicaments to bad luck and success. He hadn’t had any major career success while working in this current role for five years.
He feels stuck and hates showing up every day. He would prefer not to come to work at all if his income wasn’t strained.
Anyway, each time James decided to advance his career, he would enrol for a course. This course often cost some money and took a big chunk of his time.
After struggling through the course passing the required exams and getting his certificate, James will remain stuck at his job.
I will share why I think his strategy won’t work for him.
The Real Problem
The problem is that James has imagined his career to be tied to earning an extra certification or returning to school. Sadly, this is not the case.
With James' method, you return to school and earn a certificate in hopes that when you complete it, you will get a promotion or land a new job. Sadly, this is not the case for most jobs.
Earning extra certifications in hopes it would improve your chances of landing a role or getting a promotion is not a smart move.
You commit all your resources and time to this activity, yet it doesn’t deliver in the long run.
Are you like James?
A Better Approach
When I met with James, I told him he was working backwards. Instead of spending so much time, money and energy studying and passing exams, he might take the certification or course only if it would improve his current job.
Why is this method better?
You won’t spend endless time studying and working towards a certification you would need.
You will be less stressed.
You won’t have unnecessary expectations as a result.
Each time you think of taking a certification thinking it should help you end up earning more, you might be mistaken. Employers won't reward you because you have a new certification, they understand these certifications are low-hanging fruits. Anyone can get them by studying and passing exams.
I also recently completed a certification in digital health. Honestly, I don’t even remember completing it anymore. I acquired it because I knew the learning outcomes would improve my current skills and my job. I did not complete it hoping for more money which may not happen.
Closing Thoughts
Before committing more time and resources to take extra courses in hopes of more pay or a better job, be sure to make sure it will be the case.
In most cases, you do not need to do that. Instead, focus on solving the problem you have at your job, or the challenges your team has and then only and only take certifications if it will help you solve those problems.
This way, you are working forwards instead of backwards like James. You can directly measure the impact of your new skills and knowledge on your job.
The best part?
You would have demonstrated your new skills to your boss and made it easier to ask for a raise.
Let me know what you think.
Three Ways I Can Help You Advance Your Career
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Banji Alo
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