Education, Training, & Certificates

CORE CONTENT | 1 min read

Eligibility and competence in your chosen field often comes down to how well-educated, well-trained, or certified you are in said area. Evaluating the potential return on investment (ROI) of your education and training is a key step in deciding if that training is worthwhile. This involves weighing the time and financial commitments against the expected benefits (e.g., fulfillment, employability, knowledge accumulation, salary).

The journey starts with thorough research on career options and the qualifications they require. It is beneficial to consult professionals, seek guidance from career counselors or mentors, and assess your personal strengths, interests, and resources. Consider your willingness and ability to invest time and effort, taking into account your financial resources, available institutions, and potential aid or scholarships.

Various Pathways

Some careers have varying criteria for qualification. For example, a certain computer science role may usually require an advanced degree, but that same role at Company XYZ may be entirely dependent on industry experience. Another company may simply require a certain skill level, regardless of how it was acquired. A different example is a career in business administration. Starting your own company (and assigning yourself as CEO) requires no formal education, whereas being hired as CEO of a well-established company is more likely to require it. Still, many careers, such as certain careers in medicine, will uniformly require specific training (e.g., a Medical Doctor (MD) degree).

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE | 0.6 min read

Michael, an engineer with a keen interest in renewable energy, found himself at a career crossroads when considering a shift to environmental law. Initially, it seemed like a perfect extension of his skills and interests, but a detailed analysis of the required additional education and training suggested otherwise. The substantial investment in law school, both in terms of time and finances, offered an uncertain return on investment, especially when factoring in the years he would spend out of the workforce. This realization, coupled with an understanding of the competitive nature of the field, led Michael to question the practicality of such a transition. Ultimately, he decided to leverage his existing expertise in engineering, concluding that the path to environmental law, while intellectually appealing, did not make financial or professional sense for him.

KEY TAKEAWAYS | 0.5 min read

• It is important to consider how much education will be necessary to have a meaningful and successful career in a chosen field. Consider whether it is worth the investment.
• Some careers require varying levels of education depending on the specific role you are pursuing.
• You may choose to forgo certain education now and pursue it later on in your career. These things often do not have a time or age limit (though certain financial aid may).
• Even after formal education, continuous learning and professional development are essential for a successful and fulfilling career.
• Creating a personalized career plan is important and should be adapted as needed.

PRACTICE | 10 min activity

1. Using a career or occupation lookup tool (e.g., O*NET), determine what level of education or training is required to be a professional in your industry or to have your dream job.
2. Research how long that would take to acquire and the approximate cost.
3. Consider the ROI. Will you be able to make that investment in education? Will you be fulfilled by that career? Could you afford the lifestyle you want while having that role?

RELATED RESOURCES / READ ALSO