Now that the kids are back in class, or packed off to university, maybe it’s time to take your own career back to school.
Whether you’ve been in the workforce for just a few years, or you have years of experience in your area of expertise, there are lots of good reasons to consider an executive education program. You may want to become more comfortable in negotiations, or are looking to improve your organization’s marketing strategies. Maybe you’re seeking a broader refresh on your career. Or it could be that you just love learning. A three-day or three-week program could be the answer to each of these motivations.
Sharon Irwin-Foulon, Executive Director of Career Management at Ivey, thinks about the benefits of executive education programs this way.
“Most of the discussion around the value of taking an executive education program flows around building up your own competence and confidence,” says Irwin-Foulon. “It’s about how you might shift your thinking and perspective to help change your own internal narrative on what you bring to your work.”
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Mind the knowledge gap
Gary decided early on he wasn’t good with numbers. He has successfully navigated his career around the financial statements, but has always been embarrassed about asking questions when budget time came up, or, worse, having to ask someone else the answers. Is this lack of knowledge holding him back? Meanwhile, Chen has been recently promoted and it’s her first time managing other people. But she worries she won’t have the skills to energize and inspire her team. She has nightmares about that first team meeting. Will her supervisor regret giving her this opportunity?
“This is simply about being more comfortable with a work-related competency,” says Irwin-Foulon. “For example, taking a financial course could help you silence that inner critic in your head that says, ‘you can’t do this.’ It could make those budget meetings much less intimidating.”
Career energy boost
Louise has been in her current role for more than 10 years. She enjoys it, and is proud of what she does. But sometimes it’s hard to get motivated for those Monday morning meetings. How can she give her work week an energy boost and give something back to the company at the same time?
“There is a confidence that just comes from learning again. Say you’re a mid-career professional. Taking one of these courses is going to refresh you and get you excited again about the business you’re in, because you’re looking at it through new lenses," Irwin-Foulon says. "The outcomes might be the same but you go about it with much more energy and with a fresh perspective.”
Take it for a test drive
Amir’s career path has always included taking his Executive MBA. At least it did last year; and, the year before that, and the year before that. Each year it’s part of his career goals, and each year it gets put off for lots of reasons. Instead he does nothing.
“If you’re thinking of taking an EMBA, but you’re concerned if you can manage the classroom experience, and the commitment, test drive it,” advises Irwin-Foulon.
Instead of doing nothing, take a course that fills a competency gap and see how it feels. You’ll not only feel more confident in your decision whether or not to take an EMBA, but you will also have taken care of a blind spot in your career, and also experienced first-hand how an Ivey classroom feels.
“This will then translate into being more confident at work, because you’ve learned some things and taken ownership for moving your career forward,” says Irwin-Foulon.
For more information on Ivey Executive Education Programs and how they can refresh your career, go to ivey.uwo.ca/executive.
