Education key to standing out in workplace

When I had lunch with a friend to reminisce about “old times,” the gist of the discussion actually had less to do with the memories of a previous century than the stark cold realities of 200.

After 26 years of service to a company, in which he managed to steer around downsizing, job elimination and other waves of unanticipated change, my friend expressed no sigh of relief because he had retained his job. Instead, he had an air of frustration because he was stuck in his job.

“Now, there’s this big push for people with degrees as well as experience,” he lamented. He went on to talk about his many years of experience, the fact that he had put in the time, sacrificed opportunities at other companies and practically missed the transition of his children from the cradle to the deposit on their first apartment.

“When I first came to this company, I was told that my good work would be the key determining factor for advancement. Now, they’ve changed the rules and I’m stuck. So much for my good work.”

I thought back to when he and I first entered the work force. As we say, “back in the day,” the streets were paved with gold, anyone who wanted to work could get a job and pursuing a higher education was an occupational privilege or a self-indulgent choice. Many of the prominent companies of the era valued education and put support in place so that those so interested could pursue the opportunity, but it wasn’t seen as essential to the survival of the company or the career advancement of hard-working individuals.

As a result, just over 20 percent of today’s working adult population has a baccalaureate degree and less than 6 percent have a master’s degree, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Meanwhile, many companies and demanding advanced education and experience while at the same time scaling back tuition support.

So, let’s put some 20^th century assumptions in their proper 21^st century perspective:

Hard work is still the key to success. Yes, if you intend to start your own business. There is a big difference between working hard to stay afloat and working hard to get better. However, keep in mind that many of the successful entrepreneurs from the late 1980’s and early 1990’s have since returned to school to pursue their business degrees.

It’s not what you know, but who you know. Yes, however if most of the people you know are ones stuck in the same category as you, then you’re going to need to know a little bit more than names in a social network. Interestingly enough, some of the most critical people in my career network were met in the classroom.

Manage your boss and he/she will manage your career. Yes, but keep in mind that your boss also has a career to manage. If they’ve managed to slide past the educational needs, then they’ve been lucky and what you’re hoping is that their luck will rub off on you.

Nothing beats experience. Yes, when a career path was limited to the internal race up the corporate ladder. Now, companies are willing to look elsewhere for the broader set of experiences that come from time in an organization and time in the classroom.

It’s time look reality in the eye. There is an abundance of skills and knowledge that will be essential to career success in the years ahead. Earning educational credentials is your investment in keeping the scales balanced.