The Value of Professional Education
August 8, 2024
The increasing demand in the workforce for highly skilled and specialized employees has propelled professional education and certificate programs to unprecedented heights in recent years. With future trends on an upward trajectory, there has never been a more crucial time to invest in your career with professional development programs.
The World Economic Forum reports that 50% of the global workforce will need to reskill by 2025. Increasing AI presence across all industries, combined with advancing technology, is quickly outpacing worker skill sets. It’s predicted that 42% of business tasks will be fully automated by 2027 and that 6 in 10 workers will require skills training on that same timeline.
Many adults who have worked for the last 10 or 20 years might now find their degree or previous career experiences no longer relevant in today’s post-pandemic economy and rapidly changing workforce. Younger professionals may need to hone skills only broadly covered in their degree programs to stay relevant. Gone are the days of a linear job path. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that, on average, employees stay at one job for around 4.1 years. Today’s fast-moving technologies have ushered in a new era of career trajectories.
Continuing Education for the Modern Workforce
The world of higher education has opened the door to varying career opportunities for working professionals. However, graduate degrees are costly and time-intensive. They typically focus on broad areas of study rather than dialing into skill sets, making them a difficult choice for those who may already be short on time and budget space. The same goes for additional undergraduate degrees. A 2024 Talent Trends research study found that 72% of talent leaders are particularly concerned about the skills gap, the highest level since 2019.
The urgency to stay ahead in an evolving job market drives professional development and continuing education as a top choice among workers looking to stay up-to-date and relevant.
Skills-Based Learning and Micro-Credentials Meet the Market's Demand
Online and remote learning for adults skyrocketed during the Covid-19 pandemic and has continued to proliferate. Skills-based learning programs are in high demand from both employees and employers. According to the Center for Education Consumer Insights, the number of Americans who have completed educational courses and earned micro-credentials is growing. 40% percent have completed a non-degree credential.
Continuing education offers many professional development options, whether you’re aiming for a promotion, considering a career change, or simply looking to enhance your skills. These options include comprehensive libraries of learning programs, courses, and experiences tailored to meet the specific needs of professionals.
Choose the Right Professional Education Program
Overwhelming demand for online learning programs has given today’s professionals many choices. Deciding on the right program involves researching the cost, time requirements, and program rigor, as well as considering the reputation of the institution issuing any credentials.
For individuals aspiring to particular job openings or promotion opportunities, looking at skill-specific job requirements may help narrow down program choices. Matching desired skill sets with professional education programs specializing in those skills will successfully equip you for a new or promoted role. For instance, a healthcare career may require a diverse set of skills. Taking a Lean Six Sigma course can enhance your skills in a specific sub-industry, opening the door to a promotion, higher salary, or new job opportunity.
As you develop the skills for the job you want, you’ll build professional confidence, better positioning you to thrive in a job interview or new career setting.
Make Your Professional Development Investment Personal
Ultimately, the value of professional education is a long-term investment in yourself. Though professional development and education programs are designed for adult learners and business professionals, time and financial sacrifice are still involved. Treat your professional education as you would any other investment. Spending the time and money upfront to develop skills or learn new ones will continue to pay off as you leverage your education to earn a promotion or new job opportunity.
While professional education requires less of a time commitment when compared to a graduate degree, you should still expect to set aside specific blocks of time to complete coursework. Consider each hour you spend on reading and assignments one step towards your career goal. Many programs offer micro-credentials for each course you complete. You can take on the role of your own coach, cheering yourself on as you earn new certificates and digital badges. Accumulate them as you learn, and you’ll have a collection of achievements that impress your colleagues, managers, and organizational leaders.
Skills-Based Learning for Busy Adults
At its core, professional education is designed to be flexible and affordable. You can maintain your current life commitments while you upskill or reskill in a particular area. The knowledge gleaned from professional education courses is not just theoretical but immediately applicable to your profession, making you instantly more valuable to your organization and reinforcing the value of your investment.
Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies (CPS) offers extensive industry-driven professional education programs geared towards high-achieving adults balancing educational and professional goals alongside other life commitments. CPS recognizes the sacrifices that professional development entails, so we offer flexible online programs that fit your life. You might work 9 – 5, have kids who need to attend afterschool activities, volunteer in your community, or assist relatives who need help. Life is busy, and we get that. Your education is a priority, but it’s not the only priority, which is why we’re proud to offer our adult learners many options for continuing education.
Learning and Beyond: Advance Your Career at Villanova
When you choose Villanova for your professional education, you choose more than just learning a new skill. In addition to courses taught by our world-class faculty and industry practitioners, you’ll benefit from access to the Nova Network, Villanova University’s exclusive professional network. CPS students can also access career services and support through Villanova Career Management. Services and support include individualized resume review, interview preparation, job search planning, and other online resources.
The decision to pursue professional education marks the start of a lifelong commitment to learning and adapting in a rapidly changing professional world. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, call us at 610-519-4300 or talk with an enrollment coach today. Villanova’s College of Professional Studies can help you achieve your professional goals and advance your career.
About Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies: Founded in 2014, the College of Professional Studies (CPS) provides academically rigorous yet flexible educational pathways to high-achieving adult learners who are balancing professional and educational aspirations with life’s commitments. The CPS experience embodies Villanova’s century-long commitment to making academic excellence accessible to students at all stages of life. Students in CPS programs engage with world-class Villanova faculty, including scholars and practitioners, explore innovative educational technologies and experiences, and join an influential network of passionate alumni. In addition to its industry-leading programs at the nexus of theory and practice, CPS has built a reputation for its personal approach and supportive community that empowers adult students to enrich their lives, enhance their value in the workplace, and embark on new careers.
PURSUE THE NEXT YOU™ and visit cps.villanova.edu for more information about the college, including a full list of education and program offerings.