What do you think of when you hear the word “education”? Do you get excited the thought of big brick buildings, a room full of smart, intellectual people, lots of reading, studying, writing and tests? Or do you shiver at the thought of staying up late at night studying, getting a grade you didn’t expect, having to balance education and work and…? Is education always formal in your mind or can it be more organic and natural? When you think of education do you think of degrees you someday dream (or dreamed) of obtaining or do you think of missed possibilities and opportunities? Regardless of your thoughts, positive or negative, excitement, horror or regret, education is paramount—be it in the classroom, on the computer, in the workplace or within the pages of a book or magazine.
From my research of successful women, education ranks high on the list of strategies—particularly for women and even more importantly, for women of color. Most women that I talked to for my research, had a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and a number had master’s degrees. Why? Because they didn’t want something so small as a “piece of paper” come between them and their next job.
While a formal education isn’t always at our fingertips when we factor in money, time, work, relationships, children, and so on, it is important to figure out how you are going to stay one step ahead of your competition. Your competition might be the class of 2012 just coming out of college, it could be a man (or woman) who has equally as much experience as you, it could even be yourself if you’ve plateaued in the position you’re in. Regardless of the source, if you plan to get to or stay at the top of your field, marketable and promotable, you must educate yourself. If your next degree isn’t attainable right now, for whatever reason, map out a plan to educate yourself in the meantime. Take a class, read a book, take a webinar, go to a conference. Whatever you do, plan to learn something new often.
I schedule time (and budget) to attend at least one conference annually, go to workshops and seminars and I keep a book of some sort with me. If you’re not a reader, order a series of books on tapes or listen to podcasts.
And what do you educate yourself about? Topics that interest you like your projected career, field or industry, your current job or organization, or world events that might affect you or your interests in the coming years. Then, talk to others who are interested in the same things you are. Get their ideas on your topic of choice and share your thoughts. Write an article, blog about your ideas. Do something with the information you obtained.
It is often said “knowledge is power”. While this might be true, applied knowledge and the continual acquisition of it is even more powerful! So continue to learn, continue to grow and continue to live a purposeful life.
Until next time…
j
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