Why You Should Continue Your Education as a Parent
Making the choice to continue your education is a big step for anyone. But with kids in the picture, parents who are considering going back to school or entering career training have even more to think about.
A lot of parents might feel hesitant to continue their education, as they may worry it could take away from their time with their children. But going to school as a parent is an investment that can have many long-term benefits, for both you and your kids.
Keep reading to learn some of the top reasons why you should continue your education as a parent!
Can Help You Start a New Career
Of course, most people who go back to school as adults do so with the primary motivation of opening up new career opportunities. The United States job market is very competitive these days, with many careers requiring a related degree or job-specific career training program.
A stable, high-paying, flexible career is a primary goal for most parents. The ability to provide for your family and secure great benefits is one of the top reasons to continue your education as a parent.
You can continue your education by attending college, entering a graduate program, or taking career-specific training or certificate courses. All of these options can help you when looking to attain a position in a new field. Additionally, your kids will pick up on your hard work, flexibility, and willingness to try new things—all important lessons for them to carry forward into life.
Can Help You Advance in Your Current Field
Continuing your education is not only a good idea if you are looking to enter a new professional field. Those who feel stuck at their current level in their careers might also benefit from more education.
By attaining career training related to your current field, you can get noticed for promotions and new positions, show employers that you are willing to take initiative and keep learning, and gain the skills necessary to advance your career.
Plus, you can show your kids that there is always room to keep improving in whatever path they take in life.
Can Set a Good Example
Parents know that children learn by example. Kids absorb so much from their parents’ words and actions, and being a good role model is a critical part of setting your kids up for success.
In research published by The Atlantic, it was found that 80 percent of U.S. adults raised by two parents with college degrees said that their parents encouraged them to attend college, compared with less than 30-percent whose parents did not have college degrees.
There is good reason why children with highly educated parents grow up to be highly educated themselves; the parents know the value of education and can speak from experience when encouraging their kids to keep learning.
When you return to school as a parent, you show your kids many important things. This experience teaches them that learning is a lifelong process. It also shows them that education is important, no matter your age. Finally, it can show your children the importance of diligence, hard work, and effort in achieving their goals. This type of long-term thinking is extremely important to model to your kids.
Can Lead to Remote Work
While a lot of parents might be concerned that continuing their education could take important family time away from them, this concern is not always substantiated.
In fact, many parents return to school so that they can get the training necessary to apply for remote work positions, allowing them more flexibility in their schedules, more time at home with their kids, and more ability to balance work and family life.
Remote jobs are becoming more plentiful in the U.S. every year, but competition in these job markets tends to be steep. To give yourself an edge over the competition, you can continue your education with career training programs and certificate courses that give you job-specific knowledge and skills.
Even better, Blackstone’s career programs can be completed online, at your own pace, and in a highly affordable manner.
Can Increase Your Earnings and Benefits
If there is one thing all parents can agree on, it’s that having kids is expensive. From clothes and food to healthcare and other expenses, the cost of supporting your children through the early stages of life really adds up.
As a parent, it is critical to find a career that provides high enough earnings to support both you and your family. That is why one of the top reasons to continue your education as a parent is to open up opportunities to increase your income.
With minimal additional education, you may be able to earn a degree or certificate that allows you to apply for a job with a significantly higher salary. Plus, many careers that you can find offer important benefits, like healthcare, that are helpful to providing security to your family.
Written by Adam Wernham
Disclaimer: Blackstone Career Institute, an accredited school, cannot guarantee employment, job promotion prospects, or income increases.
