While employers used to manage their employees’ careers, nowadays employees themselves must take the reins to keep up with the trends and needs of working life. Self-improvement is essential to staying competitive in the labour market. “The needs of the labour market and expectations from employees are changing at an unprecedented rate, so the skills acquired years or even decades ago are no longer sufficient to successfully cope with the current and future challenges of the labour market,” said Karin Kuimet, Head of HR Management at Mainor Estonian Business School. She noted that artificial intelligence and technological developments are changing the needs of the labour market especially quickly. Previously, we were accustomed to a linear path of education and career. First, we completed secondary education, then at least a bachelor’s degree, and then entered the labour market, where we usually worked in one field for the rest of our working life. “This pattern is disappearing. In order to keep up with the trends and needs of working life, it is necessary to constantly improve both personally and professionally. “Those who really want to be successful in the labour market adapt to changing needs and continue their studies in different forms and in different specialties,” explained Kuimet. She added that this does not mean that the wrong specialty was chosen at one time, but that there are different needs and challenges at different stages of life and at different times. Karin Kuimet noted that the need and interest in returning to education is also noticeable in the market. “Unfortunately, in Estonia, women are more diligent in their studies. However, the age distribution at the Estonian Business School Mainor is very diverse – there are both young and older students, those with an existing higher education, as well as those who are just starting to earn their first degree,” explained Karin Kuimet. But how do you decide whether a micro degree is enough to develop skills or whether a full degree is necessary? According to the representative of the Estonian Business School Mainor, micro degrees are suitable for those who already have a higher education, but who feel the need to supplement their knowledge in a specific field. “Micro-degrees are smaller, practical and focus on developing specific knowledge and skills. We also have several micro-degrees in areas where full-fledged curricula have not yet been developed, such as sustainable development or artificial intelligence,” said Mainor, Head of HR Management at Estonian Business School. On the other hand, studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is suitable for those who need a more comprehensive set of knowledge. “This can be a continuation of an already studied specialty or mastering a completely new one in order to gain a deeper and more theoretical understanding of the field,” said Karin Kuimet. Often, the new specialty is obtained that is related to the one already studied, for example, people management. “A lot of the value of Master’s studies lies in the exchange of knowledge and experience with practicing lecturers and fellow students, who are most often working professionals or middle managers. By exchanging different points of view, you can get valuable feedback and ideas for solving professional challenges,” added Kuimet. Master's students at the Mainor Estonian Business School are often managers or leading specialists in their field, and in addition to their academic degree, they gain an excellent network of contacts that may play a role in their future working life or career development. She noted that there are various opportunities for learning, but the most important thing is the understanding that this is being done for one's own development and well-being. "If it used to be that the employer managed your career, now you need to take the reins yourself and not wait for the employer to do it and how," the representative of the Mainor Estonian Business School is convinced. She added that, of course, there are employers who actively support the development and training of their employees, but the initiative must come from the person themselves. "From the perspective of developmental psychology, it is important to constantly improve. The learning process includes communication and promotes socialization, keeping us healthy and active. Socialization is one of our basic needs, which also has a clear connection with mental health," Kuimet concluded.
