How lifelong learning leads to lifelong employability

Lifelong learning. With it, you can enter, adapt and return to our rapidly evolving workforce. Without it, you may be left behind.

Technology is changing the working world as we know it – and fast.

According to the World Economic Forum, more than one billion jobs are likely to be transformed by technology by 2030. That means millions of people will need to be reskilled to stay in the workforce. With this estimate, it’s no wonder the global economic NGO has declared a global reskilling emergency. 

As we face an uncertain future, we do know one thing for sure; to keep up with a rapidly evolving workforce, you need to evolve too. That’s why now, more than ever, you need lifelong learning.

"We live in a world that's growing exponentially fast. If you don’t keep up, you’re going to be left behind. Lifelong learning will allow you to navigate the uncertainty that everyone is going to face in the future.”

Nicolas Chu
Founder & CEO, Sinorbis
Professor of Practice, UNSW Business School
UNSW AGSM MBA Alumnus

 

What is lifelong learning?

Lifelong learning is a commitment to self-improvement through continuous education. It's a phrase used to describe self-development, whether that be personal, professional or academic.

Careers expert Blair Slater defines lifelong learning as the ability to adapt and continuously learn new skills. It’s the key to enhancing your employability. The idea of ‘employment’ versus ‘employability’ features heavily in careers education as it reflects the difference between simply obtaining a job and having the tools to manage your career long term.

"Employment is about obtaining any job; however, employability is more about education and the ability to manage market changes, adapt and achieve lifelong career success in changing circumstances."       

Blair Slater
Portfolio Lead, Student Career-Ready Connections, UNSW Careers

 

Here at UNSW, employability is at the heart of our education - that's why we're ranked 27th in the world for graduate employability¹. The UNSW Careers team, alongside our renowned educators and researchers, will help you get to where you want to go.  

 

Accelerate your career

Whatever stage of your career you’re at right now, lifelong learning can open doors to new opportunities. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, a postgraduate qualification will position you as a specialist in your field. Search our range of postgraduate programs to find a path that inspires you.

If you’re considering a career change, UNSW’s range of short courses, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas give you a chance to explore a new area before you take the leap. 

Further study can give you a competitive edge, even if a role doesn’t require postgraduate qualifications. As Blair explains, the pursuit of further education “demonstrates to an employer that you’re eager, curious, proactive and adaptable – all of which are traits that contribute to career success.”

"I'm always looking for team members who are serious about growth and are willing to put in the necessary work every day to develop not only professionally, but also in their personal lives."

Sapna Patel
Founder & CEO, ImmiAdvisor
UNSW Bachelor of Commerce/Law Alumna

 

Invest in your career

Investing in your education is a wise choice – and one that pays off. Higher level qualifications generally lead to improved salary and employment outcomes.

The median salary of undergraduates employed full-time in 2019 was $62,600 per year, while for postgraduate coursework graduates it was $85,300².

Christina Chun began investing in her career at UNSW, where she also founded ed-tech start-up 1Scope. She embraced continuous education to help her run the ed-tech company without a tech background. In doing so, she was able to build empathy with her staff as she understood the processes and challenges involved in their roles.

"It's incredibly important to have employees who can think critically, are open to learning at a rapid rate (and take ownership of this) and have the humility to always think on behalf of their team and organisation."

Christina Chun
Entrepreneur, Director at Walker Advisory
UNSW Bachelor of Psychological Science & UNSW Master of Commerce Alumna

 

Become an expert learner

Learning does not end at university, it merely begins. Sapna found that education is not just about what you learn, it's about discovering how to learn. 

"UNSW taught me how to learn which I believe is extremely important for success. I truly believe that we're perpetual students of life."

Sapna Patel
Founder & CEO, ImmiAdvisor
UNSW Bachelor of Commerce/Law Alumna

 

This focus on the how is especially important considering that your education and career may not always follow a linear path. Nicolas Chu, Founder & CEO of Sinorbis, began his career with an Honours degree in History, followed by a Master’s degree in Computer Science and an MBA from UNSW. 

Nicolas’ studies inspired a natural curiosity within him. His dynamic study background also helped him to land one of his first tech jobs after he found common ground with the interviewer who shared a mutual interest in history.

 

Enhance & enrich your career

Lifelong learning not only enhances your career prospects, it also enriches your personal and professional life. Continuous education will keep you motivated, innovative and forward-thinking in our fast-moving world. 

"Lifelong learning is being motivated to acquire new knowledge and experiences, being humble in knowing there's always something you can learn from someone else and that an old dog can always learn new tricks.”

Christina Chun
Social Entrepreneur, Director at Year13
UNSW Bachelor of Psychological Science & UNSW Master of Commerce Alumna

 

The ability to learn is a skill. If you can master lifelong learning, it’ll become your ticket to lifelong employability. Get ready to make your mark on the world.

Explore UNSW postgraduate degrees

¹QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020. Source. 

²QILT 2019 Graduate Outcomes Survey. Source.