In my world there is a lot of discussion on the value of higher education and the purpose of getting a college degree. I find myself telling college students 2 things when I meet with them:
  1. The degree you’re getting can never be taken away from you (it has value)
  2. That same degree is only one of your “tools in your tool belt” (it has less value than you might think)
 What’s true is that the world is changing a lot faster than people are graduating with their degrees. When considering education of any kind – we should consider the return on investment and try to get out of it all that we can. On the other hand – we cannot assume the education itself is the answer.
 You still need to know who you are and what you’re about if you’re going to find success in the working world. The days you have in the world of education are short compared to all the days ahead in the world of work. It’s important to be able to articulate your skills, interests and values in a way that can differentiate you in the marketplace. It’s also important to know what the world of work demands. Why hone skills that are outdated and irrelevant?
 My suggestion – invest in building the following skills whether in your educational pursuits or otherwise.
 The World Economic Forum put together a list of skills that will be needed to be successful in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will be upon us by 2020 and will change the way we live and work.
  1. Complex Problem Solving
  2. Critical Thinking
  3. Creativity
  4. People Management
  5. Coordinating with Others
  6. Emotional Intelligence
  7. Judgment and Decision-making
  8. Service orientation
  9. Negotiation
  10. Cognitive Flexibility
 Your education should be supporting your pursuit of these skills, but the onus is on you. Need some ideas to get started? Take a leadership role; do an independent study; get an internship; offer freelance work; take on additional responsibility at work; get a mentor; be a mentor; practice self-care and stress management; volunteer; laugh often and you’ll be putting yourself in situations where you can grow in these areas.
 Need more help? Let’s talk. I’m taking on clients who want some help to reach their career goals. Contact me via LinkedIn and we can work together.