Why Learning New Skills is Important

The fast pace of the digital age has even the most competent workers acknowledging the necessity of regularly upgrading their skills, but there is more value in acquiring new skills than simply keeping up with the latest technology. If you are unsure if it's worth signing up for that course or attending that workshop, take a look at these great reasons to learn new skills.

Better Career Satisfaction

Many workers choose their career paths as early as middle school, and others seem to fall into their roles with no forethought at all. By expanding your knowledge base through formal or casual learning opportunities, you open yourself up to new career paths that might be a better fit. Start with something you are curious about, and you just might discover something you love. Workshops and online courses also help you learn more about your talents and improve your self-confidence. If you are between jobs, let this new self-knowledge help guide the direction of your job hunt. Finding a position that you enjoy and are good at is one key to job satisfaction.

Growing With Your Company

Learning new skills that help you in your current position is a great stress-reducer. Regularly participate in learning opportunities to keep up with the changes in your field, and reap the advantage of being able to work better instead of harder. As you become the person who others go to for help, your value to your organization grows. This brings the opportunity for raises and promotions to advance your career.

Opening Up Opportunities

Perhaps you have interests that lie outside your current field. Pursuing your passions in those areas is another way to open up opportunities. Try turning your new skills into multiple streams of income. For example, you may use the writing skills you learn in a workshop to pursue freelance opportunities, or you could channel your piano skills into giving lessons or playing gigs on the weekend. Multiple streams of income help protect you from financial hardship during periods of unemployment and provide extra income for retirement savings as well as life improvements.

Networking

A job hunt is the perfect time to work on expanding your skill set, especially at live classes and seminars. Not only do these types of learning opportunities give you new skills to list on your resume, but they also expand your network of contacts who might be able to help you land a new job down the road. Classes also get you out of the house and away from the direct responsibilities of your job search for a bit to help you stay active and improve your self-esteem.

Never underestimate the value of learning something new. Take advantage of the learning opportunities that come your way, and enjoy better self-confidence as you discover and develop your unique strengths, whether your new skills target your current position, lead you to the next big thing or simply provide you with an outlet for your boundless creativity.

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net