Go Back To School Or Find An Internship Job To Recession Proof Your Career

As we continue to talk about how to recession proof your career, we should discuss the value of pursuing additional education, interning and mentoring.

Going back for a bachelor’s degree if you have not already attained one is absolutely necessary. Many management positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, and this degree can be accomplished while working full time, as most university’s now offer full undergraduate degrees through both night and afternoon classes.

After a bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree has become the must-have many industries. The Masters degree is often accompanied with a jump in salary around $10-15,000, and can help make you an asset at a company with few graduate degrees.
Find a degree in a field related to your market if you do not already have one, and specialize in a field specific to your market with at least a Masters to increase your standing.

One note of caution, ask the upper management of your company their views on graduate degrees, and find out about the market for these degrees in similar companies. Find out how the additional education may help or hurt your hireability.

Internships

Aside for returning to college for additional education, going to a trade school or finding an internship are also popular choices for those who it is not realistic or affordable to return to school.

Finding an internship can often be an easy process because of the nature of the relationship. Because internships are often unpaid or low pay, many employers are eager and willing to hand them out to the determined and upwardly mobile potential employee.
Internships can be held at nearly any company in any market, and are always present as a gold star on a resume or portfolio. Listing an internship on a resume can prove your desire for a job within the field, and can show that you have what it takes to complete the tasks in that market, and that you even did it for free.

An internship can be found while working full time, and can be completed after or before work. These internships can be in your same line of work, and can be in similar markets that will compliment your existing skill set.

Another approach is to acquire an internship in an entirely different field, giving you the skills necessary to be hired in a second field after your current one. An internship can be held for a period of up to six months, giving you ample time and opportunity to make connections and friends within this new industry or new job.

This kind of internship experience will set you on the way to be hired within your new industry, and may even find you a job within the company you are interning for.

Mentors

Mentors can not only give you the hands on experience necessary to learn the knowledge and skill sets necessary for your future work, they can also set your foot in the waters of your future employment pool.

A good mentor will give you the connects within the industry that are necessary, and like trade school and graduate classes, you will be connecting with the people who are in a position to give you a job or point you in the direction of the jobs.

Leverage new educational opportunities, internships, and developing strong mentor relationships are worthy steps to keep yourself in the recession proof career territory.

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