At one time or another, most of us feel like we’re stagnating in our career. We wonder if there’s more to life than the 9 to 5 job we’ve chosen. We worry that we’re not pushing ourselves hard enough, and as a result we’ll never have enough money to support our family comfortably. Some of those concerns are just part of being an adult; there’s almost always going to be regret over the path not taken, regardless of how realistic that path was. But if you’re looking for a new career path, or simply seeking to make yourself a stronger candidate for jobs in your field, getting more education may be the way to go.

The Growing Field of Computer Science

Not every career field is growing. In fact, some fields are shrinking (newspaper jobs, for instance, have been hit especially hard in recent years). One field that’s been expanding rapidly, though, is the field of computer science. A degree in computer science has the potential to open up a lot of doors for you. You may have a knack for programming and coding that’s gone unrealized all these years. With the right training, you can work as a system analyst or IT expert. There’s already a wide range of possibilities for people skilled in computer sciences, and the field is growing all the time. You might want to work as an app developer and create the next big thing in the App Store. You may want to create new software that will help businesses operate more efficiently. Computers are everywhere these days. You can’t avoid them even if want to (and most of us don’t particularly want to). If you’re a quick learner with a knack for highly technical work, then working in the computer sciences just might be your dream career.

Certificate Programs

You can also improve your resume without needing to obtain an entirely new degree. We’ve all seen job applications that request certain certifications from professional trade organizations. If you’re wondering how people obtain such certifications, then you’ll want to look into career and technical certificate programs. Some programs take just a few weeks to complete, but others can take a year or more. At the end of the program, you’ll typically given a test to measure how well you’ve absorbed what you’ve been taught. If you pass, then you’ve now got certification in plumbing, culinary arts, or another field. In fact, some of the certifications are required before you can advance further in your chosen career field.

The job market is very competitive right now, and it looks like it will stay that way for the foreseeable future. Certificate training programs can let potential employers know that you have a specific set of skills. The piece of paper proves that you’re capable and willing to learn, which also goes a long way towards helping you secure a better job. Businesses want employees who are eager to set goals and then reach them. They’re not as interested in employees who are happy to reach a certain point and then stay there until they retire. By challenging yourself, you’re also investing in yourself and your future.