Parents have always advised their kids to continue their studies up to Bachelors Degree level at a tertiary institution and then find employment. While this may hold true for most students but for some their study paths are cut along by various reasons. For example, not getting an offer after completing grade 12, passing of their parents or caretakers, tribal flights, short of school fees and etc. For these group of students, their alternative is to find a job to keep them occupied as well as to support themselves. Here is five (5) reasons the latter group of students, when they return to study in tertiary institutions after work experience tend to do far better than their counter parts who continue straight from secondary school.
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Know the Value Of Tertiary Education Qualification
Because of their educational background, these people are often given entry level jobs such as security guards, cashiers, cleaners, office clerks, drivers, and other lower administrative jobs. In their line of duties they serve those working in higher positions. They can see the differences between these people in the organization is line of their positions and qualifications. If they are working in a position to see valuable information such as payments of claims, salaries, benefits etc, they can see how much those in higher positions earn and different kinds of privileges they are awarded by their employer.
This motivates them to go back to school and get a tertiary education. They can see the value tertiary education bring to an individual’s life by seeing the evidence at workplace.
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They have the Work Experience To Relate To in Class
When they return to tertiary study, they have a wealth of experience. When a lecturer teaches a topic they can easily related to and make connections to their work experience. For example, if a Human Resources Management lecturer talks about different types of work place communication, these people already have a mental picture of a memo, reports, meetings minutes, email communication and etc. They have seen them and done them. While their counterparts from school have no idea and have no reference point to relate the topic to. This makes their learning real and meaningful.
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They know Why Are Back in School
Most of them all sorts of sacrifice in order to get back to school. By the time they make the decision to go back to studies, they may already have a family and kids, promoted to a supervisory level position, don’t have money to fund their fees, possibility of losing their job and etc. They weigh out these things seriously and then commit themselves to study. Because of these sacrifices they remain focused and determined to succeed in their studies. As saying goes “Never be affright to let go of the good for the best”, they know they have sacrificed something in order to study and they do not want those sacrifices to be in vain or wasted.
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Focus on Career Path
These group of students already have a clear and focus career direction. They know what they want to achieve after completing their studies. When they return to study, they usually choose a program already have work experience or pursue something that they are really passionate about. They don’t mark around and starting a career after they graduate like their counter parts from schools. Because of this, they are more engaged, more active and interactive during their course of study. This can make each subject in their program more interesting and fun. For them, each subject is not requirement to pass and get through the next academic year, but an opportunity to learn and gain more insight which will help them to achieve their already predetermined goal or career.
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Have confidence and take on extracurricular activities.
Because of their work experience, they have already developed skills like public speaking, team work, task management and etc. So when it comes to extracurricular activities during their studies, they are more willing to lead, participate and engage in. This can help them get recognition from lecturers, administrators and potential employers
Towards the end of their studies, they have already filed up good grades and a impressive CV profile. Combined with their previous work experience, their likelihood of getting employed increases.
Quitting your job and getting back to studies is not bad after all.
For these reasons, quitting a job and getting back to studies is not bad after all. Yes they are sacrifices and risks are huge but taking risks for good reasons can be a motivating factor.
If you think you need to make the sea change at some point in your career life, why not do it. It may be a life changing one, who knows.