How to prioritize skill building early in your career

Skills are more important than ever before — and our generation is well aware. As the new faces in the workforce, we are chasing opportunities to learn new skills and are turning to our employers for assistance. If they can’t extend a helping hand, we’re looking for the exit.

Nearly 75% of Gen Z and millennial workers are likely to quit in the next year due to a lack of skill-building opportunities at work, a new study found. That’s compared to two out of three workers overall, proving that we, as young professionals, are highly motivated to expand our skillsets.?

Joining a company that is committed to upskilling is one way to prevent getting the urge to quit. We can also take matters into our own hands and prioritize skill development outside of work. Here’s how career experts recommend we accomplish both:

Finding a company that invests in upskilling

Reaching out to current employees at your desired employer is a good place to start. If they have had a positive experience building their career at the company, then you might decide to apply. Asking questions during the job interview is key to gauging an employer’s commitment to upskilling.

Kelli Robinson, who is a career development expert, suggests asking the following questions :?

• Can you provide some examples of how the company values their employees' professional development??
• Can you tell me the types of upskilling and professional development initiatives your employees engage in??
• Are employees given the opportunity to develop their skills as part of their role, or do they seek such experiences on their own and complete on their own time??
• Are there any requirements for employees to complete professional development opportunities?

Expressing your desire to learn new skills will also help you stand out among candidates.?

“The simple fact is that employers invest in candidates that invest in themselves, so being able to show an employer a genuine interest in building yourself outside of them will bode well at the negotiating table,” says Aqueelah W., who is a life coach.

In addition to asking questions, you should “look for evidence of commitment,” says Mitchel MacNair, who is a career growth consultant. MacNair recommends searching for news releases and case studies that show if the company has partnered with organizations like Guild Education or InStride.

“This means they are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to making investments that support upskilling their employees,” he says.

Building skills on your own time

Finding a company that will invest in you is important, but you also need to invest in yourself.

Three ways to do so? Start a side project to apply the skills you want to grow, pursue stretch assignments at work and volunteer in your community, advises Robert Pearl Starks, who is a career management consultant.

You can also build your skills by taking online courses and working with a mentor or coach who can offer guidance and feedback. To hold yourself accountable, dedicate time on your calendar each week to completing skill-building tasks.

To receive more support in your current role, proactively communicate your career goals with your manager, suggests Leanne Abraham, who is an executive recruiter.

“Cover the areas you want to focus on, why, and ideas on how to accelerate your growth. Put this in an informal written proposal (use headers and bullet points so easy to skim through) and be clear that this is a draft that you would like to collaborate on with him/her,” she says.

At the end of the day, “remember that you are in control of your career and knowledge gained,” says Chelsea Jay, who is a leadership development coach. Look for opportunities around you and be willing to learn from others.?

?? How do you prioritize skill building at work and beyond? Share in the comments.

?? Always be a student

Emotional intelligence (EQ) has become a sought-after skill , with employers searching for candidates who can manage their own emotions to produce positive outcomes. To develop your EQ, check out this LinkedIn Learning course , which covers everything from being self-aware to developing social awareness. You can watch it below or by clicking here .

?? College corner?

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?? 9-to-5 with me

For Dylan Huey , being a full-time college student and content creator is a balancing act. He has quickly learned the importance of time management, from setting reasonable deadlines to staying on track with to-do lists. To see how Huey plans out a typical day, check out his video below or by clicking here .

?? What does a typical day look like for you? Share your video using #9to5withme .