How relevant is your university degree or professional training for a future workplace?
When you think you have studied or trained enough, think again. Our world of work is changing and will continue to change as long as people invent new products to replace the old and as long as we live in an inter-connected globalised world. In an already complex workplace, we see even more disruptive changes taking place every day. The skills you acquire today may no longer be relevant in the future.
You are not alone if you have started to worry about this. Many students like you are afraid to face the new world of work. In such a world, you need to think beyond finding the “right” job. You should start thinking about your
career instead of the first or next job. As your career evolves over time, it is, therefore, critically important for you to plan your
continuous learning and development not only for a career over a lifetime but also to meet the demands of a continuously changing workplace. You will need both
education and
skills training or
skills upgrading.
Difference between Education and Skills Training/Upgrading
- A university education broadens your mind whereas skills training upgrades your capabilities for a specific task or job.
What Formal Education Gives You
- Broadens your mind so you can think deeper, view problems from different perspectives and consider alternatives when solving problems.
- A good formal education can last you a lifetime.
- Review the approach you take to your academic studies. Find out how the theories and concepts relate to the practical workplace and your future career.
Skills Training/Upgrading
- Helps you stay relevant and current in the job market.
- Is focused on specific tasks in jobs or professions.
- Has a short shelf life (about 5 years or less) and is good for as long as the job market and technology stays constant (which is hardly the case these days).
- Anticipate changes in technology and be prepared to learn new skills. Be updated about “disruptive innovations” (Christensen, 1995) that can create new markets, displace workers and professionals. Such changes also provide good opportunities for those who are prepared to learn new skills. Disruptive innovations will be the new norm in the future workplace.
For continual and lifelong learning
- Broaden your knowledge base by attending formal courses like those conducted in the universities or tertiary institutes. A university accredited education will give you higher value and better recognition.
- Upgrade your professional knowledge to stay competent and current (for more information, check under
“NTU Professional Development”).
- Join your university alumni programs. Stay in-touch with other professionals to have a sense of where you are in terms of the latest knowledge and skill requirements in your profession.
Visit this website for reference on the topic of lifelong learning:
EPL Career Development to Start Your Continual Learning & Development
- The EPL career spaces include both educational aspects as well as learning of skills needed to stay employable. Find out more about how you can develop yourself while you are still in NTU. (See "EPL Development".)