EDUCATION AND THE ‘OVER 40’ JOB SEEKER


Why You Should Consider Updating Your Education - Robert Giusti, M.A.

It's never too late to start thinking about going back to school. However, it is important to plan according to the educational calendar.  

There are several reasons to update your education.

a. If your education is 15 or more years old, it is out of date. Taking seminars, classes, or specified curricula will show your prospective employer that you are serious about being current in your field, or in changing to new one.

b. Advancing your employer desired skill set. In 22 years of attending professional and corporate college fairs, I talked to many company officials. When asked what skills they want from their employees, their answers always included five skills they considered most important: Writing; Math (Algebra or higher level); Analytical thinking; Communication (Interpersonal); and Public Speaking.

c. Update your current professional skill-set, if you are looking to find a job in your current industry. You want to show potential employers that you are current in your field.

d. Acquire new professional skill set if you are looking to change career, it shows that you are serious about moving into their industry.

Regardless of the reason for pursuing it, your education shows your dedication to improving yourself and that you are serious about contributing to a new employer.


This is the first of a series of articles focused on education and the ‘Over 40” Job Seeker.

Next article: Educational options for the ‘Over 40’ job seeker.

Note: For 25 years, Robert Giusti advised adult professionals about traditional and nontraditional options available to them in finishing a Bachelor’s degree and advised students seeking advancement in career or company on earning a master’s degree.