How Continuing Education Can Support Career Growth

Pathways to career growth don’t always have to be the same for everyone. A promotion may require a new technical skill, or a career change may call for formal education. Even an experienced professional may discover that industry expectations have moved ahead of their current skill set.

Continuing education can help close those gaps. It can take the form of a graduate degree, professional certification, short course, industry training, or hands-on learning. The best choice depends on where someone is in their career and what they hope to do next.

For many professionals, continuing education has become less of an option and more of a career necessity. The real question isn't whether to keep learning, but how to make that learning count.

Why Learning Never Really Stops

Continuous learning is the ongoing practice of developing new skills throughout a career, rather than thinking that education ends after graduation. TechTarget explains that this learning can take many forms, including formal or informal methods, structured programs, or self-directed efforts.

It could involve earning a certification, working with a mentor, or picking up knowledge from a colleague. The key is to keep learning and developing skills well beyond the classroom.

This shift in mindset is also reflected in workplace data. LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report found that career advancement has become the leading reason people choose to learn.

The report also revealed that 91% of L&D professionals consider continuous learning essential today. Employees increasingly look to their employers for help keeping their skills current.

As Josh Bersin, a global HR industry analyst, says, employees increasingly expect employers to help them keep pace with changing demands, or they may look for opportunities elsewhere. 

How can professionals make time for learning while working full-time?

Professionals can make learning more manageable by treating it as a regular part of their schedule. They should not treat it as something requiring large blocks of free time. Setting aside a few hours each week for reading, coursework, webinars, or practice can lead to steady progress.

Advanced Education Can Open Doors to Specialized Careers

Certain professions have educational, licensing, or credentialing requirements that make graduate education an important part of career preparation. Psychology provides one excellent example.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% employment growth for psychologists between 2025 and 2035. The median annual wage for psychologists was $99,110 in May 2025, although earnings varied considerably by specialization and work setting.

But to enter these specialized fields, professionals require advanced education. They need to undertake a master’s program in forensic psychology. Felician University says that these programs can include various useful concepts, such as:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Forensic assessment
• Criminal behavior
• Counseling and the legal system, etc.

Enthusiasts can even look for online forensic psychology master's programs if they don’t want to commit to a traditional course. The same applies to most advanced fields that require specialized skills.

Before committing to a program, however, prospective students should check the qualifications required for their intended position. They also need to understand the distinction between earning a degree and meeting professional licensure requirements.

The Economics of Staying Current

Education can deliver significant financial benefits that extend well beyond career satisfaction. Each additional year of education can increase future earnings by about 10%. Global workforce trends also highlight the growing need for skill development. But salary isn’t the only thing; candidates must also consider culture.

By 2030, around 60% of workers could require retraining to keep up with changing job requirements. This shift is already influencing the skills and qualifications employers look for across industries.

Professional development can improve job security while also creating opportunities for career advancement. Employers benefit as well, since investing in employee growth can support stronger retention and higher engagement. Professionals considering their next career move can compare job openings based on their credential requirements to determine which qualifications to pursue first.

"A significant number of companies have free courses and training available through their own free online academies," says Cassie Spencer, a career coach. "HubSpot Academy and Asana Academy are two of many."

But before enrolling in a new program, individuals should compare:

• Current salary with the typical salary for the target role
• Tuition and other education costs
• Time required to complete the program
• Whether the credential is recognized by relevant employers
• Job openings for the intended occupation
• Required licenses or additional credentials
• Opportunities for advancement after completion

Can employers help pay for continuing education?

Many employers offer some form of education assistance, although eligibility and reimbursement limits vary. Some organizations provide tuition reimbursement, professional development budgets, certification funding, or paid time for approved training. Employees should check their company's benefits documentation or speak with human resources before paying for a program themselves.

Short Courses and Certifications Can Also Have Value

Continuing education does not have to mean earning another degree. A professional who already has the necessary academic qualifications may benefit more from a focused certification or short course.

A 2026 study found that 81% of learners believed these credentials helped them develop skills more quickly. Even more notably, 76% put their newly acquired skills into practice within three months of completing the program. Thus, it is also one of the best ways to transition into a new career.

This isn’t just a one-sided view, as both employees and employers find value in micro-credentials in building employability skills. However, students and employers didn't always agree on which skills mattered most. That gap is worth watching as more institutions add micro-credential options.

This has become even more important now because technology-driven change has leveled the playing field for who gets trained. University graduates were as much as 2.5 times more likely to participate in general training. However, this difference decreased significantly as new technologies became part of the workplace. Employees with different levels of education became nearly equally likely to receive training on new tools.

How long does it typically take to earn a professional certification?

The time required can vary significantly based on the subject, certification provider, exam requirements, and the learner’s existing knowledge and experience. Some certifications may take only a few weeks to complete, while others can require several months of study and hands-on experience. Professionals should check the certification’s official requirements rather than relying only on the completion time advertised by the provider.

Key Continuing Education Stats at a Glance

Continuing education can play an important role in career growth, but more education is not automatically better. Its value depends on whether it helps a professional develop relevant skills and qualify for a desired position.

For some professionals, that may mean a graduate degree. For others, a certification, short course, or workplace learning opportunity may be enough. What matters is having a clear reason for learning and being able to connect the new knowledge to real career opportunities. That approach makes continuing education less about collecting credentials and more about making deliberate progress toward the next stage of a career.

ⓘ This article is part of an educational partnership.