Higher education and diplomas matter. After all, you spend four or five years studying and growing to develop professional skills! Career opportunities also look more appealing for specialists who graduated from university or college, right?
Not quite.
Since technology and industries expand, it becomes more challenging for traditional education to keep up with them. It’s not because the system can’t handle the changes or is unable to adapt to them. It does it, but it does it much slower than the market requires. As a result, self-study has become the new norm for students and aspiring specialists looking for broader career opportunities and career growth.
The reasons for the popularity of self-study go beyond rapid industry changes. They include affordability, flexibility (students can choose courses based on personality types and learning styles), and cost-effectiveness. Below, we discuss them all to understand all the whys behind the boost of self-study among the workforce.
Rapid Industry Changes Demand Continuous Learning
AI assistants grow like mushrooms after the rain, encouraging employees, whether savvy or newbies, to keep up with emerging industries. As said, traditional education is a complex system that can’t adapt to new norms so fast; self-learning tools do that much better:
They allow professionals to stay relevant to new technologies, market trends, and required skills. We bet you’ll agree that traditional education is still more about theoretical than practical training, while self-study practices help us learn faster and practice the acquired knowledge right at the workplace.
Also, it’s easier to understand what training to choose for self-study when you get new knowledge and skills at work. You see knowledge gaps and get assigned to take corresponding training, which saves time and money on searches.
Online Resources Make Learning More Accessible
Online learning platforms and online courses for career aren’t a new phenomenon, especially in the post-COVID era, where remote work and education are the norm. For those willing to grow professionally and earn new skills, it’s the new norm to take free or paid resources on the Internet:
Courses, tutorials, e-books — all these instruments are available online, allowing us to learn anytime and anywhere. No formal curricula, classroom, or discipline constraints: You choose the information to learn and the platform where to study, and you organize your study schedule according to your needs.
Online resources make learning accessible and more affordable for all comers. International students can take online courses from universities they couldn’t reach otherwise. The same applies to seminars or workshops from foreign specialists in various niches.
Employers Value Skills Over Degrees
Managers and HR specialists understand the fast-changing nature of most industries today, looking for experience and practical skills over formal degrees. So:
By learning independently, job applicants can build expertise that meets a company’s needs.
Self-study through credible courses allows candidates to demonstrate competency through projects and certifications. Practical results are essential for employers to see:
They will check skills over degrees as they value proactivity and aspiration to grow. It will signal self-discipline and initiative for employers, demonstrating a candidate’s strong problem-solving and adaptability traits. It doesn’t mean you should take dozens of online courses and mention all of them in your resume: Focus on self-study that meets your career endeavors and brings you the credentials necessary for it.
Cost-Effective Alternative to Formal Education
It stands to reason that traditional education in college or university is more expensive and time-consuming than self-study options. Self-study through learning platforms like Udemy or Coursera is more cost-effective (often free).
Many experts and opinion leaders in different niches also share their insights on YouTube. It’s a great alternative study option for aspiring specialists willing to grow. The only catch:
Be selective.
Don’t take all the words of YouTube stars for granted, and check speakers’ credentials and feedback on their courses from other listeners. As with formal education, self-study works when done right.
Flexibility to Learn at Your Own Pace
Self-study is more flexible if compared to traditional education:
Once you choose a course or a resource (learning platform) to study, you can manage its schedule and decide when to listen to lectures, complete tests, and pass the final exam. Unlike structured courses in college, self-study is comfortable for managing and balancing work and other duties.
Perfect for individuals who combine work and study:
You choose the self-study option that meets your professional needs and career aspirations and organize your learning time so that it doesn’t distract you from work and personal life.
Remote Work Culture Encourages Independent Learning
The after-pandemic world has made remote and hybrid work models the norm:
Most employees work from home and don’t require constant supervision. They are self-organized and self-disciplined, and they also take responsibility for their professional growth. That’s where self-study comes into place.
Independent learning is on the rise: Each employee understands their knowledge (and skills) gaps and decides on the corresponding online courses, training, seminars, or workshops to visit. Such personalized learning for career specialization allows for tailoring education to niche career goals rather than following a generic curriculum in the educational institution.
Interactive Learning and Networking Through Online Communities
Modern technology, such as AI tutors, VR simulations, or interactive coding platforms, makes self-study more engaging for students. These techs enable immersive, thus more effective learning:
You learn new skills by practicing them in real time.
Also, self-learners can connect with experts and peers through forums, LinkedIn groups, and online communities, gaining insights and collaboration opportunities. Sure thing, traditional education institutions provide students with such opportunities, too, but doing that when self-studying promotes proactivity, organization, and communication skills.
In a Word
The workspace is changing, and self-study has become the driving force behind career growth. With AI assistants and learning tools available today, we can focus on skills over degrees and shape our professional talents according to our career needs.
Besides the tech boost, self-study options are rising thanks to the general query for continuous learning. The need to stay competitive and adapt to new job markets encourages specialists to polish their skills and earn new talents necessary for long-term career advancement.