Will Relevant Qualifications Supercharge Your Career?

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It is important to learn technical skills when you are young so that when you enter the workforce, you are qualified for many different roles. Technical skills are in demand in the workforce so having these qualifications will make your CV stand out from other candidates. Qualifications are important because they show employers that you have intelligence, creativity and ambition which can be crucial when applying for a role in an organisation.

Formal qualifications provide a proven path into business, especially if you have skills in a relevant discipline such as engineering, accounting or business studies. Many employers are happy to choose candidates with formal qualifications over other candidates because they have proven that they are disciplined and dedicated to their work. Formal qualifications also demonstrate that you have the personal qualities needed for success in your career.

Undergraduate degree

A degree is one of the qualifications which show employers that you can work hard, think logically and creatively and that you can work well under pressure. A degree from a recognised university can open doors for you in the future and enable you to stay up to date on industry developments.

University graduates have several advantages over other candidates when applying for jobs. This is because of the fact that you have already demonstrated that you can set goals and achieve them within a set time. If you have studied for a degree that is relevant to the industry you are applying to work in, you have the added advantage of relevant knowledge. The fact that you are already a qualified individual gives confidence to employers to hire you based on merit alone.

Postgraduate Degree

Postgraduate qualifications are very similar to a degree in that they show employers that you can think logically and creatively and also that you can work under pressure. In addition, postgraduate qualifications allow you to show employers that your education has continued beyond the undergraduate level.

Postgraduate degrees include:

Masters Degree

A masters qualification shows employers that you have continued your education and have prepared yourself for the workforce. Students studying for a Masters can focus on a specific area.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

An MBA is a more general qualification than a Masters. It is now possible to complete an MBA – distance learning. This makes MBAs ideal for those already working, in fact, it is likely that those who have already spent between 5 and 10 years working in business will find it easier to complete an MBA than a Masters. People can also join an MBA using work experience to qualify for entry onto the course.

Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)

This is the highest level qualification achievable. Those studying for a DBA are likely to conduct industry-leading research to develop their field and become recognised experts in their chosen fields.

Many professional institutions provide industry-recognised qualifications as employers want to know that certain skills and information have been learnt.

Professional qualifications

There are many professional qualifications available. These are qualifications that prove your ability to undertake a certain job role. Institutes include:

Chartered Accountant

There are a couple of bodies offering Chartered status to accountants. The ACA and the CIMA. In either case, a Chartered Account is better qualified and has more knowledge than an accountant. Achieving Chartered status will help an individual demonstrate their worth to an organisation or client.

Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

CIM provide a range of courses for budding marketers. Whether they wish to learn online or in the classroom. They provide a set route for professionals to become a Chartered Marketer.

Other professional bodies are offering highly specialised and specific training geared towards their industry. However, going back to our original question: will a relevant qualification supercharge a career? It certainly won’t hurt. Yet there are instances where qualifications aren’t as important as your real-world experience, motivation and ability to adapt.

Entrepreneurship

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An entrepreneur is someone who has the motivation and drives to run their own business. Entrepreneurs are often successful, despite not having formal qualifications or chartered status. The qualities shared by more entrepreneurs include:

Flexibility

Entrepreneurs are open to changing their opinion and can adapt quickly. They may also be flexible when it comes to changes in regulations, financial situations and even the needs of customers.

Business acumen

A person who is effectively running a business is likely to have gained experience in several different roles within the business. This allows them to recognise the importance of each role, as well as how they fit into an overall objective. A person who has made a name for themselves within the industry will have developed their own business model, which they can then follow through with other business owners or individuals in similar industries.

Competitive spirit

A competitive spirit is important when it comes to going up against other competing businesses. Having a drive and a desire to succeed will enable entrepreneurs to do what is necessary to secure new clients and take on the competition.

Determination

An entrepreneur needs determination. They will have set their own goals and will work hard in ensuring they are achieved. This determination can carry through into other aspects of their life too, such as keeping fit and healthy. While it may be difficult for an entrepreneur to foresee just how successful their business will become, there is still plenty of determination on display to see their business through the best times and the worst times.

Creativity

Successful entrepreneurs can come up with unique ways to run their business, whether that be in terms of marketing, customer service or products. This creativity can be further used in other areas of life, such as blogging or creating websites.

Sometimes a qualification is the only route to a specific career path. For example, someone who wants to become a doctor will find it very difficult without a medical degree. However, many careers don’t require specific qualifications. It could be that someone has work experience or is just skilled in an area, but to really stand out from the competition studying for a relevant qualification can be a great investment in time and money.