One of the best ways to help your financial situation is to increase your income. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, you need to either spend less or make more, right? Easier said than done. It’s even harder to make more if you’re in a dead-end job. At some point you’re going to have to move up the ladder, and the only way to do that is to obtain more skills. Are you stuck in a job with no room for growth? Our credit counseling advice is to go about learning a new skill. Try some of these tactics to get ahead.
Follow ACCC’s tips for learning a new skill.
- Ask your employer about possible tuition reimbursement. Not all employers will put you through grad school (although some will), but they may be willing to spring for some training or certifications. As a side note, this is something to consider when starting a new job. It’s a nice incentive for an organization to offer and it’s something you might want to look for in a new job, especially of you think that job has little room for growth. Think of each job as a stepping stone in your career. Each position can lead you closer to your goal… whatever it may be.
- Seek out adult education centers or community colleges. You may not need to obtain an undergraduate or masters degree to move up, and this is a much less expensive option. It will help you stay on budget. If you can demonstrate that you’ve done the coursework and have the knowledge, then there will be opportunities for you without that piece of paper. Professional development can come from work experience as well as a classroom.
- There are also online resources such as Lynda.com that offer educational video tutorials and materials. As mentioned above, you may not earn a degree, but this is also inexpensive and you’ll obtain valuable skills to put on your resume.
- Utilize your local library. You can read up and gain knowledge on almost any topic for FREE at the library. Also, if your local branch doesn’t have a particular book, you can just order it! Many branches now offer educational DVDs as well. It may not be the same as experience or an instructed classroom, but it’s a great place to learn.
The more skills and specialties you have, the more attractive you become to employers, and the higher your potential income can be. Learning a new skill is always beneficial. You can even use this tactic if you’re thinking of a career change. You’ll most likely have to pay to learn something new, but it’s an investment for your future. The reason you’re doing it is to earn more income later. Find out what skills are in demand by checking job listings. See what jobs interest you, what skills are required, and go from there.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
