Studying While You Work – Is It Worth It?

by | Oct 28, 2020 | Education

Education is an essential tool that helps society function and grows.

 

Not everyone chooses to continue with their education after high school, and instead decide to start their career journey as soon as possible. While this path is right for many people, others might not have been able to go to college for various reasons, even though they wanted to. Alternatively, some people might find themselves stuck in jobs they don’t like, and wonder if they made the right choice. 

So, what do you do in those circumstances? You can stay put and feel dissatisfied, or you can dedicate some of your spare time to gaining a college education. Whether you enroll in a part-time or night class with your local community college or opt for an online degree program, it is possible to return to education. The big question is – is studying while you work worth it? Yes, and here’s why.

Career Progression

If you are stuck in a job you don’t like but aren’t sure how to make a change in career, an education can help you make this jump easier. Many employers like to see candidates with a college degree on their resume, as well as some work experience. If you know what you want to do for your career, but aren’t currently in the right role for that dream, you should look into studying a relevant subject that will help you get an entry-level job in the industry of your choice. 

You might already be in a job you like, but your lack of education has limited your progression to higher roles in the company. Even if you already have a degree, studying to gets a master’s or Ph.D. would certainly make you stand out from other candidates. If you’re worried about having to take time off work to study, consider enrolling in an online degree program like this MBA UK, for example. This will mean you can fit your studies around your work schedule easier. 

Self-Discovery and a Sense of Achievement

While future career prospects might be the main reason people choose to continue with their studies, there are many more personal benefits to consider. It’s an opportunity for self-discovery, and realize some of your hidden talents or find interests in new things that before you might never have given a second thought. A chance to test yourself and see how far you can be pushed to achieve your goals and to be proud of your efforts. Not only will you feel this way about yourself, but your friends and relatives will also be proud to see you work hard to achieve your goals, and you could become a role model for your kids or other members of your family, inspiring them to follow their dreams.

 

 

Studying While You Work – Is It Worth It?

Julia M Cameron Pexels

 

 

Exploring Your Interests

Yes, education can give you the chance to learn a lot about yourself, including what your interests are. You don’t have to return to study simply for the sake of your career, but perhaps you have discovered a new passion for learning and want to explore a subject in more depth, like economics or literature. Learning can be fun if approached in the right way, so this is another reason to think about studying while you work. It could help you feel more confident talking to your other colleagues and share your knowledge, or inspire you to start a new initiative at work based on what you have learned.

Maintain Your Lifestyle

A lot of people are worried that returning to education while they work will disrupt their lifestyle, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Yes, you might not have as much free time to socialize or watch your favorite TV shows because you’ll have to study, but at least you won’t have to worry about losing out on money each month. This is what is great about online learning, in particular, as you can fit it around your schedule and study at a time that suits you. This is why many people choose to study in this way rather than attend college full-time, as they can save on additional expenses such as accommodation and transport when studying from home. 

Networking Opportunities

Another perk of studying while you work is the potential for networking opportunities. You might find this easier if you’re attending physical classes, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t make connections from online learning programs as well. This is a big benefit to studying, as it’s a chance to make new friends, but you can also get a good reference from your tutors and discover work experience/job opportunities through them, too. 

It will require you to dedicate time to your studies, and it might be a challenging experience, but studying while you work has so many benefits that it will be worth your efforts in the end. 

 

Downtown Magazine