The television frequently airs advertisements that reflect the economy and the general condition of the common consumer. ITT Tech, Phoenix and other schools are letting us know they are there. Why? Unemployment is up. The suggestion is that one sure way to make more money, to strengthen one’s career prospects, or to accommodate a career change, is education.
There’s no guaranty of earning more money, although that is a possibility, and a message these schools want to convey. But even without more money, more education just may strengthen your ability to keep your current job. Before investing time and money in training or education (I almost choke on those words), take a minute to think it through.
One question to consider, if you are still in a job and a company you want to stay with, what about the situation gives you confidence that additional education will make things better for you? Has it worked for others? Is your situation (expertise, status, connections) similar to theirs? Even if all that is similar, there’s no guaranty you’ll be treated similarly.
That doesn’t mean to drop the idea of taking the training; just be realistic and understand that “there are no riskless actions or inactions.” I learned that statement about risk from Dale Carnegie, in a Dale Carnegie course many years back. I’ve taken two Dale Carnegie trainings; both help me decades later.
There are so many ways to improve your prospects that one doesn’t have to seek something exotic. Libraries and book stores, Webinars and conference calls, coaching, mastermind groups (read “Think and Grow Rich”) … all can be just what you need to do. The one thing you should take from this piece: do something.
Dan Clark
