English
As expected, the return of cold weather has brought with it a new wave of lockdown. And everyone cried! Schoolchildren, students, parents, teachers, are terrified that the whole new academic year could be remote.
Fear not, dear friends, learning online is great, you just need to get used to it. This skill is necessary for your future career, even beyond lockdown. Therefore, while the whole world is still in shock, adjust to life learning education - "life-long learning". This trend is gaining momentum and in the coming decades, it will conquer the world for sure.
Although there is no clear definition or standard for life learning, it is usually used to describe continuous self-education focused on personal and professional development. That is, mastering a skill in any way possible, from attending training courses to reading a specialized journal.
Recall your dreams. What makes them dreams and not goals? Most likely, because you do not have enough information and the lack of a plan to achieve them. At least, this is how it is for me. There are goals, which I am on my way to now. And there are dreams - something that I will take care of when I learn a little more about it and know what first steps to take.
It used to be that to learn and acquire new information, to take on a new professional path, people had to go back to college - to get a second degree, a professional certificate, and so on. But by modern standards, this takes up too much of your resources. Besides, two- or four-year training programs in the 21st century are irrelevant: during this time the world manages to change so much that the acquired skills will be obsolete. So the solution is regular learning without interrupting your main activity. Learning becomes an integral part of life. Only this way it is possible today to withstand fierce competition and remain successful for many years.
WHAT DOES LIFE LEARNING EDUCATION LOOK LIKE?
Sometimes employers ask so much in job ads that even a professional is lost, not to mention a college graduate. The international research platform Global Education Futures researched this issue and compiled a list of skills most likely expected from applicants:
- leadership;
- the ability for collaboration and teamwork;
- conflict management;
- team and project management;
- emotional intellect;
- adaptability and tolerance;
- stress management.
Were you taught such subjects in your college curriculum? Neither did I. However, I just can't imagine my work without these skills, and I expect them from my employees, like any other employer. Perhaps I do this a little more consciously than others since it is what I do - teaching people how to develop and what to work on. That is exactly why I know for sure that such a notion as "profession" is completely outdated in the modern job market.
Business needs more than just a narrow profile. Digital technologies allow us to automate most of the routine tasks, so employers need more qualities such as creativity, cross-functionality, and curiosity, readiness to constantly expand and update your toolkit. This is when T-shaped specialists come to play - people who, in addition to their one specialty, develop at the same time in related fields. They are the ones who have the most value in the job market and who achieve the greatest success.
If we break life learning education into components, then it:
- is voluntary and self-initiative;
- usually doesn't require serious financial costs;
- often informal (for example, it can be done using free tools like the Internet);
- doesn't require a teacher and mentor;
- is motivated by self-interest.
Educational courses and activities that help people follow the concept of life learning education may result in obtaining a certificate, license, or even a degree, but this is not mandatory or even the ultimate goal. With continuous learning, a person may not even have their goals fully set and still realize them while mastering a new skill. Lifelong learners are primarily motivated by the desire to gain more self-confidence. They develop so that one day they would have a chance to reach new career heights.
Sometimes striving for continuous learning is the most important criterion for an employer when hiring. Employers admit that a diploma is no longer the only proof of abilities and developed talents and that life learning is more a character trait that is a competitive advantage for a candidate.
How to start continuous learning?
In reality, we learn something new throughout our lives, even unconsciously, and without applying any tangible efforts. For example, as a child, we learn to ride a bike, use a smartphone, or cook. When you read a new recipe on the Internet and then rush to the kitchen to try it, this is also learning. There are tons of examples - signing up for yoga for the first time, downloading a new app to your smartphone, even just watching a review on YouTube. This is chaotic learning. But it can be controlled, be more conscious, and deepened in areas that will positively affect the quality of your life and career.
To become an adherent of life learning and turn learning into a habit, you need to do it by taking certain steps:
- Recognize your interests and goals
If going to college is necessary in order to get a degree required for a job, then life learning is a reflection of only your aspirations and desires. Think about what you are passionate about and what can be useful for you in building your bright future. Your key interest maybe is not promotion, but a taking a sharp turn in your career altogether, a complete change of activity. After all, life learning doesn't have to be about professional success, it can also be about your dreams.
- Make a list of the knowledge and skills you need
Once you pinpointed what motivates you, decide what you need so you could achieve the goal you chose. If we talk about building a career, the list should include all the skills that will make you more effective in your current position and will be useful for promotion. Such skills could be time management skills, speaking a foreign language, knowledge of new graphic editors (if you are, for example, a designer), etc.
- Determine how you can realize your goals
Implementing your plans begins with figuring out where to start self-development. You can research that on the Internet or reaв specialized literature, as well as take online courses or meet other professionals to exchange knowledge.
The unprecedented speed of changes going on in the world and the job market right now is a real challenge for business, educational institutions, and for each of us. And you still have to study. The lifelong learning concept helps to adapt to new realities without unnecessary psychological or physical stress. Thus, team training becomes a priority for companies, and self-education becomes a habit of all modern people. And this is why you should acquire this habit as soon as possible, rather than to be satisfied with what you have already achieved.Keep up with the rest of the world and seize the moment!
