Though job numbers have remained stable over the past few months, over one million workers in the U.S. were laid off in May, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many companies are also restructuring their workforce to implement more AI tools, which can prompt even the most experienced workers to build new skills out of the fear of becoming irrelevant.
If you’ve been laid off from your job recently – or you’ve been searching for new work in anticipation of job displacement – you are likely looking for ways to learn new skills that won’t interfere with your current schedule.
Upskilling is one way to stand out to future or current employers, and it can be achieved through continuing education. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Make a list of your current skills. Just because you got laid off or feel immobile in your current role doesn’t mean your years of experience aren’t valuable. What are your strengths? Do you have any special skills? Finding ways to leverage your existing skills into a new industry or job role could accelerate your ability to find work. Being able to think critically, lead with strategy, and use technology to be more efficient on the job are all skills that many of today’s employers are searching for, regardless of industry.
- Identify the skills you’d like to acquire. Is there anything you’ve always wanted to try and never quite had the time – or resources – to master? For example, if you’ve always had a passion for the environment despite years of working in unrelated roles, pursuing education in conservation could help you land a job you truly love. Emily Madigan, a current student in the UW Online Collaboratives Master of Science: Biodiversity Conservation and Management program, decided to pursue her graduate degree after working as a veterinary technician and going to mortuary school to work in her family’s funeral home business. Emily, who has always enjoyed nature, wanted her professional life to align with her personal interests. “A dream job would be trapping and collaring and monitoring bobcats,” she says. “Or banding raptors would be very, very cool. I like the more hands-on monitoring population stuff. That’s really where I feel like my interests lie.”
- Research industries that are expanding, along with potential roles you could fill. For example, healthcare roles – especially nursing – are in high demand and expected to grow significantly throughout the next decade. These jobs are often considered “recession-proof” because many continue to go unfilled due to a staffing shortage. Other healthcare-adjacent roles, such as mental health counselors, are also greatly needed, in addition to a variety of technology specialists. If you’re looking for well-paying jobs with staying power, finding an industry that appears to be growing quickly could buffer you against future job displacement.
- Look for educational opportunities to help you get those desired skills or credentials. Bootcamps, industry certifications, and online education programs can offer you a chance to learn new skills and knowledge without a huge time commitment. Many working adults have found success through flexible, online degree or certificate programs that allow them to study when it’s convenient for them. Many of these asynchronous learning programs offer a wide variety of bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and graduate certificates in healthcare, business, technology, and much more – perfect for experienced workers looking to make a career change.
- Consider your financial situation. If you don’t have steady income at the moment or are ineligible for financial aid, you may not be able to commit to a full-time, on-campus program. However, many online programs, like those from UW Online Collaboratives, offer students the ability to take one semester or course at a time without being penalized for taking a break. With competency-based education, like UW Flexible Option, you’ll complete coursework at one flat tuition rate during a 12-week subscription period. Subscription periods start every month, which means you can start your degree when it’s convenient for you – and you can take breaks in between periods when necessary. Online education programs are perfect for those who don’t want to commute to a college campus for in-person classes, or be forced to move near their school of choice and secure housing at an additional expense.
- Set your expectations. Going back to school after years of working full-time can seem daunting, but a little planning and time management can go a long way. Addee Badwha, who recently completed the UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Imaging through UW Flexible Option while working in a catheterization lab as a tech, used digital tools to keep herself on track. She created a visual plan to ensure she was using her time efficiently. “I’ve always been very good at organizing and planning things,” she said. “So I took all of my classes and my assignments, and I put them in a spreadsheet.”
- Seek out support. With many online programs, like UW Online Collaboratives and UW Flexible Option, students have advisers and Success Coaches to help guide them through the process of going back to school. Course instructors are also available to help students, and are generally reachable through e-mail. Some programs also provide access to a Student Resource Lounge, with mental health resources, accessibility services, and career services.
- Remember your end goal. Returning to school can be challenging, but getting the education you need to access better job opportunities will only benefit you in the long run.
Are you ready to learn new skills with real-world applications? Explore UW Online Collaboratives and UW Flexible Option, which offer programs in technology, healthcare, business, and much more, specifically designed for working adults.