Why continuous learning is important for you and your future

Education shouldn’t stop in your final year of school or university. Every day should afford you the opportunity to learn something new and if it doesn’t, it’s worth your while to create those opportunities yourself! Why? Because continuous learning is essential in a world that’s constantly evolving at a breakneck speed. Whether you’re a doe-eyed college first year, an intern who’s green behind the ears or a seasoned and grizzled business veteran, we can all stand to benefit from improving ourselves and furthering our education.

Regardless of the education path you decide to pursue — be that a diploma, a short skills course or even a doctorate — time spent studying is never wasted. And, even if you think whatever you’re studying might not strictly be relevant to your career, you’d be surprised at how far random tidbits of knowledge or seemingly tangential skills can actually get you!

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of lifelong studies and how constantly working to enhance your skills and deepen your knowledge can only put you in good stead for the future.

Adaptability

As we briefly mentioned, every facet of our lives is evolving non-stop and if you want to get ahead, you need to adapt to these changes. Through continuous learning, you can acquire or develop capabilities and expertise that will equip you to keep pace. Technology, in particular, continues to make huge leaps and bounds on a near-daily basis, so it pays to do a coding or Microsoft Office course here and there. Keeping your IT skills up to scratch will help you in both your personal and professional life.

Continuous learning is crucial for helping you adapt to change

Earning potential

Gone are the days when employers wanted only one or two qualifications on your CV. It’s also a reality that an entry-level starting salary isn’t likely to support you (as well as your family, if you have dependents) for decades as it could in the past. If you want to move up through the ranks and earn an income that matches your years of experience, you need to up the ante by adding to the skill sets relevant to your chosen profession or industry.

Innovation

This point is particularly important for employers and business owners. It’s well-known that employees want to work for organizations that will help them on their professional development journey. Offering training to your workers (potential or current) not only encourages them to apply to or stay at your company, but it also allows you to enjoy the fruits of their studies: Employees who are knowledgeable and up-to-date with the latest trends, insights and technologies provide organizations with better ideas and strategies, helping them stay relevant and competitive in a global economy.

If you’d like to take the reins on your education and professional success, check out ICML’s self-leadership course. Alternatively, contact us to discover how we can help you or your team on the path of continuous learning.