The all-nighters and cram sessions may be behind you, but the pursuit of knowledge is far from over.
In fact, professionals entering the workforce today are on pace to hold twice as many jobs over their careers compared to 15 years ago. And, according to LinkedIn, by 2030, 70% of the skills used in most jobs will change with AI emerging as the catalyst.
It’s no longer enough to rely on the skills you acquired in school. But what does learning look like from here? We’ve compiled some tips to help you cultivate a growth mindset and unlock a meaningful, long-lasting career — even amid uncertainty.
What is lifelong learning?
Dictionary.com defines lifelong learning as “the process of gaining knowledge and skills throughout your life, often to help you do your job properly.” In other words, it’s about recognizing that learning is a continuous process and committing to ongoing education and self-improvement.
Take Savanna, for example. She was with her previous employer for almost five years, but felt like she wasn’t tapping into her full potential from a true sales skill set. When Savanna joined Paycom as a sales representative, that all changed.
“The professional development that you get at Paycom — even in the first three weeks of training — has not only taken me outside of my comfort zone and grown me personally, but it has also sharpened my sales skills and grown me professionally more than I ever expected,” Savanna said.
Now she’s changed her trajectory thanks to a mindset shift and commitment to keep learning. “My manager, Becca, challenged and inspired me to completely flip my mindset. She pushed me to set goals that were even bigger than what I imagined. Well, not even six months into the year I accomplished all the personal, professional and financial goals I had set out to achieve.”
“Paycom has helped me completely reimagine how I can build a life for myself, my fiancé and our future family,” Savanna said.
Benefits of lifelong learning
According to LinkedIn Learning’s 2024 global Workplace Learning Report, companies with robust learning cultures are more likely to drive desirable business outcomes, such as higher rates of retention, internal mobility and promotions to management.
At Paycom, we’re passionate about helping our team members grow and thrive in their careers. It’s a core part of our award-winning culture and built into the values that drive everything we do. To make this a reality, we’re committed to providing opportunities for internal growth, development and advancement, empowering our team members to explore new skills, take on new challenges and reach their full potential.
Our internships in operations, sales and technology roles can help kick-start your career. We also have 11 employee resource groups that provide valuable networking opportunities and support to help you advance within Paycom.
Just ask Jennifer, who’s been on an incredible 10-plus year journey with us. “What an adventure it has been. We do hard things; we can expect that coming into a growing, innovative company like Paycom. But the experiences I’ve garnered over the years have been absolutely rewarding!”
Now put your knowledge to practice
Of course, having an organization invest in your career growth is just the starting point. To really make the most of these opportunities, it’s essential to set SMART goals for yourself.
So take some time to review job descriptions and roles in your target field to help identify areas where you’d like to improve. For example, if you’re looking to transition into project management, you might consider a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or expertise in software tools like Asana or Jira.
Seeking out a mentor is also a great way to accelerate your career growth. Not only will they keep you accountable, but they’ll also provide valuable guidance and coaching along the way. As LeRoy S., an IT business analyst at Paycom, put it: “As people kept pouring into me, helping me develop, I felt empowered to do more with what I’ve learned. Your leaders, mentors and peers are all here to help you. It’s up to you to take what you’ve learned and pour into others.”
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, we’re ready to support you! Apply today to join a community of lifelong learners committed to growing and succeeding together.
