How Job Experiences Can Be Used For Developing Skills

This article will discuss how job experiences can be used for developing skills. There is a large amount of research in support of job-related experience.

Studies have linked job experiences with higher cognitive scores such as enhanced analytic thinking, broader cognitive domains, and superior creativity. In addition to cognitive skills, job experiences can positively impact learning style, attention, and memory.

Furthermore, job experiences can positively impact engagement and well-being. However, job experiences need to be included as part of the standard education process.

Oftentimes, they are seen as after-school programs or remedial programs instead of a part of the standard education continuum.

Just how important are job experiences?

It is important to acknowledge that there is still a lack of research on the best way to integrate job experiences into the education continuum. In some cases, it may be advisable to supplement a traditional educational experience with additional experience to provide students with more exposure and allow them to apply their prior knowledge in a real-world setting.

Perhaps the most important question to consider is: How can job experiences be integrated into the education continuum to enhance student learning?

The following are some ideas to start exploring:

Develop a partnership between higher education and the workplace
Perform career exploratory activities
Start integrating job experiences into required coursework
Start bringing job experiences into the work-based learning model
Determine how to use job experience as an enrichment component within the student learning journey

The bottom line is that job experiences can make a positive impact on student learning and education. However, students need opportunities to gain practical experience in their chosen career field.

Exposure to a real-world working environment, work environment, or environment will allow students to apply what they learn more virtually.

Employers gain

With students spending more time in their job and career-related experiences, employers also gain. Employers benefit from students’ real-world work experiences, allowing them to see that a degree isn’t the only way to obtain knowledge and skill.

Additionally, employers gain a well-rounded workforce who can perform the tasks they are looking for. The following are some examples of employers who seek out students’ job-related experiences:

Retailers
IT, BPO, and higher education
Insurance, aerospace, and construction
Hospitality
Insurance
Sales and marketing
Legal, investment banking, and accounting
Nursing, home health care
Grocery store

If you are looking for the best way to integrate job experiences into your education curriculum, I highly recommend the book, The Future of Work by Peter Cappelli and Howard Stevenson.

The authors argue that these experiences will remain important for the workplace’s future while also explaining how to integrate these experiences into the education continuum.

Travel to a new place

Being in a new place can change your perspective on life. You are exposed to new things and, as a result, you develop new skills.

It is a good idea to try new things.

In the process of developing new skills, you will open your eyes to the possibilities of what could be. This is a great way to develop new skill sets, and it is also an excellent way to find new friends.

Doing things you do not do at home

We all have different skills, but this doesn’t mean we can all do everything. Some skills you will be better off avoiding in your career and others you can take advantage of.

Take the time to look around you and see what other people are doing, and figure out if you can learn to do these things.

The best part is that you will be helping yourself become a more desirable employee.

It is great to try new things and be an adventure seeker, but if you do not have the skills to do those things, you may find a way to work around it.

Take this example: Say you are a personal trainer and you want to go skydiving.

Maybe you are terrified of heights. If that is the case, you may be able to figure out a way to get up and walk around, or maybe you can find a way to make money flying in a cage and acting like a movie stunt performer.

Find creative ways to make money to support yourself

There are plenty of people who have to make money the old way, but many people would rather work a nine-to-five and not go through all the hassle that they have to.

You have the choice to make, but that is not always the right option.

When you take a look at your life, it may be worth looking at what you can do to make money without a lot of hassle.

If you are thinking about starting your own business, you may find that you have an idea that can generate money if you market it correctly.

If you love spending money, you can always try to work for someone and commit to their business. If that is not a feasible option for you, it might be possible for you to find a work-at-home job.