We all at some point in our graduation days were confused whether to take up a job or complete our education first. Some of us may not be sure of our career and can’t decide on a professional degree for postgraduate studies. While a good number of working professionals start working immediately after completing a graduation degree some go ahead with further education. For some not qualifying for the desired courses in preferred universities is also a reason to start working. Few also believe that it’s a good idea to gain some work experience to be able to appreciate higher studies and professional courses, a master’s degree in your chosen discipline or an MBA. However, for most professionals, the added responsibilities, the financial commitments keep them from getting back to the classroom for higher education.
This may not be a great concern for those who have a job with some reputed brands and manage to have a fast track career and are even provided with learning opportunities by their employers. But a major chunk of talent who entered the job market without a good professional degree get stuck with not so satisfactory careers. For those who find themselves stuck with career choices that they ideally would have avoided, there’s an ongoing uncertainty, anxiety and doubt regarding the future. Once you are stuck in the hamster’s wheel, it’s difficult to step out. It’s not easy for most of the professionals to quit their jobs, just to complete a degree. Professional degrees, MBA etc. from good schools/university is expensive, and while one must meet the expenses of their course, they also need to have enough savings for the 1-2 years they would be studying.
The decision to quit, too has an element of uncertainty – if you don’t graduate from a good college or university, it will probably be difficult to even get back in the industry or match the pay you had before you quit. There have been executive education programs, part time degree courses and certifications to cater to such professionals for quite some time. But then most of these with a good value for career growth perspective have been expensive, and needed some definite time commitment, travel requirements for in classroom course requirements. Again, this may not be an option for most people.
A good shift that has taken place in the talent market, and employer expectations over the last decade has been in the form of a shift from a – degree and qualification focused employers, to those who have started valuing – skills and talent. Of course a basic graduate degree, and some professional degree or certification stands at core requirement for most jobs but then the changing shift in talent ecosystem have created a good opportunity for those who may not have a formal higher education degree but have experience and skills to match the emerging job requirements. This gives a lot of power to professionals who are good at their jobs and keep focus on upgrading their learning and skills through various available opportunities.
A good example of this is the coding contest platforms that have emerged over the years – and even a top employer like Google, hiring from some of these platforms. Students, professionals, and coders who demonstrated great potential on these coding platforms end up with some top employers, irrespective of their background, degrees etc., and most of them have worked on themselves to build on their capability as a coder. This is just an example of one job type, but the idea being conveyed is – if you focus on learning, self-development – and be good at what you do – great opportunities may knock your door. And, employers are open to professionals with talent – your body of work, your interest in doing and delivering more, your learnings are going to open new horizons for you.
Thanks to technology, we now have plenty of courses on offer that let us pursue anything that we want from the comfort of our home and most importantly we can pursue such online courses without taking a break from our regular job. Most of these online courses have a shorter duration than regular courses and some of these courses come with an option of verified certificate awarded on successful completion. While most of the courses are relevant for one’s own need for learning or adding to one’s skill – some of the courses can also help you pitch for relevant job opportunities that may emerge with your existing as well as prospective employers. In recent times, some of these platforms have become quite popular and employers are aware of their potential, and quality of programs.
Thousands of courses are available on the popular MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) platforms, and a good number of these courses are produced by some leading universities and their departments. The courses are in form of simple short-term certificate programs, professional certificate programs, credit courses that can help one add credits for other degrees, or in the form of proper degree programs. With the technology and communication being within reach of most people – the courses on leading platforms also allow for interactive discussions, interaction with instructors, professors and other students, thereby enhancing learning. One such platform – EdX, hosts over 2500 courses, has over 20 million plus learners, and over 70 million plus enrolments. EdX, has MIT, Harvard, Berkley, University of Texas, Cornell University, IIM Bangalore amongst many more as their partners. Coursera, another well-known MOOC platform has partnered with around 200 plus universities and companies including Duke, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania amongst others. The platform hosts over 3900 courses, with over 20 degrees and mastertrack certificates, and over 45 million plus learners.
Upgrad, one of the popular edtech startups from India, offers courses from BITS Pilani, IMT Ghaziabad, Narsee Monjee, University of Cambridge, IIIT Bangalore for management and technical programs and one can sign up for a PG Diploma or a Certificate course in data science, machine learning , software development, digital marketing amongst many on offer. In 2014, IIM Bangalore had launched IIMBx in partnership with edX. Now, apart from edX, they offer their courses on their own platform – IIMBx as well as on SWAYAM – the learning initiative by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India.
Some of the above examples for learning platforms are not the only option – there are many more. Almost every top university have got similar courses, and leading employers have their own platforms for learners. For example – Infosys has a free online course platform for engineering graduates to brush on their coding skills which also enables to be eligible for a job at Infosys, on successful completion of the program. The so many available platforms help you learn, get professionals certificates, degrees at your pace and time, and that too from some of the top schools and universities. A good number of these are available for free, and one can get certificates, degrees for fraction of a cost. All of this makes it easier for anyone who wants to add up a degree or certificate, learn a new skill or just take up courses for the fun of learning. You don’t have to wait for your employer to sponsor your higher education or certificate, you don’t have to quit your job. You just need to be clear on your need and desire to learn, and you can start right now.