Serendipity seems real in hindsight
And it works only in movies.
In careers, skills trump serendipity every time.
Having the right set of skills can make a significant difference in your career progress. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance, understanding how to acquire and refine essential skills is a necessity and not a luxury.
There is an ever growing importance of skill acquisition.
According to the World Economic Forum report, skills of today will go obsolete in the next five years (or even sooner!). The demand for specific skills can evolve rapidly due to changes in technology, market dynamics, and consumer preferences.
Do you want to
Stay relevant in your chosen field?
Increase your job security?
Enhance your career progression opportunities?
Improve your job satisfaction by being competent and confident in your role?
If your answer to any or all of the above question is a Yes, there is only one path left open — Continuous Upskilling.
How to identify necessary skills
Industry Research: As discussed in the previous step, thorough industry research can help you identify which skills are most valued in your field.
Job Descriptions: Regularly review job postings for roles you aspire to; they often list required or desired skills.
Professional Networks: Engage with professionals in your field to get direct insights into the skills that are currently in demand and those that may be important in the future.
Mentorship: A mentor who is established in your industry can provide personalized advice on skill development.
Factors to consider when acquiring new skills
Relevance: Ensure the skills are relevant to the area you want to specialize in.
ROI: Consider the return on investment. Some skills might require significant time or financial investment, so weigh the potential benefits.
Learning Style: Choose learning resources that match your preferred style, whether it be visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic.
Certification: Determine if formal certification is required for the skill, as this can enhance your credibility.
Resources for Upskilling
Online Courses
Zapilio, an upskilling platform, evaluates and paves a personalised learning path for you based on your career aspirations.
Coursera and edX offer courses from universities around the world on a wide range of subjects.
Udemy provides a vast array of courses in more practical, skill-specific areas.
LinkedIn Learning features courses tailored towards business and technology skills, with the added benefit of integrating with your professional profile.
Certification Programs
Google Career Certificates in areas like IT support, data analytics, project management, and user experience design.
Microsoft Certifications for those interested in various IT roles.
Project Management Institute (PMI) offers certifications in project management which are recognized globally.
Technical Skills and Coding
Codecademy and FreeCodeCamp are great for learning coding from scratch.
GitHub Learning Lab provides practical experience by guiding you through projects.
Workshops and Webinars
Often hosted by professional associations or industry groups, these can provide both learning opportunities and networking.
Apprenticeships and Internships
Hands-on experience in your field can be invaluable. Look for opportunities to work directly in the role or industry you’re targeting.
Volunteering
Non-profit organizations often need help in various areas, providing a great opportunity to develop and apply new skills.
Upskilling is not a one-time affair. It is a continuous pursuit of relevance.
Acquiring and refining necessary skills is a dynamic process. It impacts career advancement significantly and only requires three things: understand skills that are in demand, the right places to acquire them, and mastering the ways to effectively learn them.
The most successful professionals are those who continually learn and adapt.
Wouldn’t you like to become one?