Regardless of how set you are in your field, you should always consider continuing education.

It also doesn’t really matter what field you’re in – continuing education is always important.

Some companies require it. Some recommend it. But all will appreciate it. The more you can stay abreast of your field, the more productive and successful you will be.

Does Your Career Demand More Classwork?

Some careers require more continuing education than others.

For instance, those in the educational/academic fields are constantly attending continuing ed conferences, classes and adding on certifications.

Of course, healthcare is also a huge one for continuing education. Between techniques, new research and safety methods, healthcare workers need to stay up to date on what is new and relevant in their field.

Lawyers and accountants also need to stay on top of laws and requirements so as not to mislead or misrepresent their clients.

Many of the fields that require continuing education do so not only as a training factor, but also as a liability/safety issue. Whereas teachers need training on new technology techniques or new curriculum, they also need training on laws pertaining to students and the field.

The Beauty of Continuing Education

Another field requiring continuing education is estheticians.

Because they are dealing with skin and skincare, they need to be aware of not only general procedures and what’s new and trendy, but also sanitation and sterilization, safety procedures, signs of allergic reactions, and some basic diagnostic and treatment knowledge.

As the following article looks at, here are 4 reasons continuing education for Estheticians is so important:

• Safety – New and better techniques are consistently coming out, you want to keep your clients as safe as possible.
• Trends – Things in this field often change quite quickly. You want to stay atop of the hottest cosmetology trends.
• Licensing – States require licensing for cosmetologists to practice, and if your license expires, you will be out of a job. Keep current through continuing ed.
• Advanced techniques – Often you can get by with the basics, but you become more marketable and in demand the more you can offer. Broaden your repertoire or find a specialty through continuing education.

If cost becomes a concern while considering continuing education, you probably have a few factors to think about.

For one, many companies will cover your continuing ed fees. If yours doesn’t, think about if you will be able to make more money with your new found knowledge.

Return on investment is an important factor. Can you tie it in with another degree?

Often people will seek continuing education and gain another degree while doing so.

For instance, teachers may earn their credit hours while working on a master’s degree or certification in another subject area.

Continuing education is usually a win-win situation, even when it’s not a requirement.

If you’re thinking about it, you’re already on the right track.

About the Author: Heather Legg is a writer who covers topics related to social media, small business and education.