How Learning Emerging Skills Can Actually Pay Off

The feeling is inescapable: You must master AI before it takes you over. And you’d better be on top of advances in blockchain, sustainable energy, and data science, or you’ll be left at the bottom. 

It has long been an accepted truth that we must always be learning new skills in order to increase our salary, stability, and standing. But experts are now raising interesting points about the relative payoffs of skills development. 

Do the time and money invested in these skills by individuals and companies always result in substantial career growth? And how can you make sure that they do? 

Challenges 

There are a number of reasons why even the acquisition of new competencies can be difficult. 

• Time Constraints: Between taking care of their family, fulfilling their personal commitments, and doing their actual job, many people just don’t have the time to upskill or reskill. 

• Lack of Guidance: Employees often misunderstand what their employer needs, and supervisors are not clearly communicating priorities. 

• Availability and Costs: Workers who can’t afford quality courses and programs on their own can’t always access them through their employer either. 

Considerations 

If you are in a position to pursue career development, then consider these potential disadvantages. 

• Opportunity Cost: Would it be better to refine your existing expertise through hands-on experience and networking rather than investing in learning a new skill? 

• Skill Relevance: Will your newly acquired talent—especially if it’s a software tool or programming language—still be useful a year from now? 

• Support from Superiors: Does your current employer provide you with incentives and backing for your self-improvement ambitions? 

Drawbacks 

Put simply, the new expertise you gain from courses or certificate programs may not be in demand in your role or profession. Depending on your industry, it’s possible that current and prospective employers may value practical experience more than certifications and theoretical knowledge. 

Yes, if you’re in a rapidly evolving field like engineering, IT, or finance, you do need to be aware of industry trends and take action to stay ahead of newcomers and remain adaptable and prepared. But in general, just demonstrating that you’ve gained emerging skills doesn’t guarantee salary increases or promotions. 

You will have to show how you can now perform your job more efficiently or that you’re ready to move up the ladder thanks to those new abilities. There is no benefit if they don’t directly relate to your job function. And without input and advice from those above you in the food chain, your efforts could result in no meaningful recognition or reward from your organization. 

So how do you take a strategic approach to avoid these pitfalls? 

Align Your Skills with Your Career Goals 

Enhance your decision-making by asking yourself if the new skill will really enhance your job performance. Make sure it is relevant not only to today but to future job opportunities. 

Collaborate with Your Bosses 

Find out what your company offers in terms of continuous learning. Understand their business objectives. Inquire about which skills are in demand in your specific workplace. 

Think Long-Term 

As we’ve stated, it’s not a numbers game—just acquiring certifications isn’t enough. For learning emerging skills to pay off, you have to stay informed, hands-on, and connected in your industry while looking for ways that upskilling or reskilling can tangibly smooth your path to advancement.