In many professional fields, the education process does not stop after one obtains a college degree or certification. Technological advances are happening at such a rapid rate that we all must continue to learn in order to stay ahead of the game. With that said, let’s talk about some of the best tips I have learned on how to get the most out of continued education.

Seek Advice First

In most cases, in order to advance or grow your career, additional education or official training is required. There are so many education options these days, but not all of them are legitimate or the best option for your personal career goals. One of the best ways to find out what will work best for you is to utilize the people around you that have been there.

If you are considering additional education or training for advance your career to the next level, start by talking to your manager or a person in the position you may want. Find out what path they took, what caused them set backs and what best helped them get to the position they have now.

What to Ask

After you secure a meeting with a mentor, make sure you are prepared to ask all the questions you need in order to help elevate you to the next level efficiently. Ask about the best schools, teachers, financial options, work load and scheduling. Some places of business will pay for additional training if you follow the proper application protocol. Additionally, a reference from your manager may also help when applying for certain programs.

Do Your Research

When researching education options, seeking out council from leaders, mentors and co-workers that have gone before you will help you navigate your path smoothly by eliminating the road bumps that others experienced. However, it is still important to do your own research to find out what is best for you. Advice from others should be a starting off point. Keep in mind that while they may have some great advice, what worked for them may not work for you in the same way. Scholarship and program requirements change over time. Set yourself up by researching all the possible options and requirements before making a final decision.

Create a Balance

Before you start your continued education, it is important to consider how it will affect your current life. Remember, your program should fit into your life, not the other way around. Work out the adjustments that need to be made to your schedule in order to create a balance in your life. If you over schedule yourself, it will be difficult not to burn out.

Continuing education is a great choice if you want to go further in your career. However, it is important to seek advice from others and create a good work/life balance in order to be successful and avoid burnout.

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