Changes in the job market, new technologies and the flexibility of teaching have made education a permanent necessity for anyone who wants to grow professionally or complete an old dream.

For a long time, completing your studies was seen as the starting point for entering the job market. Today, that logic has changed. More and more Brazilians decide to go back to school after they are already employed, whether to gain new opportunities, follow changes in the profession or complete a stage of training that fell by the wayside.

According to Tiago Zanolla, education specialist and founder of UFEM Educacional, a 100% digital education hub, this change happens because learning is no longer a phase of life and has become part of a career.

“The market changes at a much greater speed than it did a few years ago. Those who work realize that they need to continue learning to keep up with these changes. At the same time, many people are finally able to resume an old dream, such as completing high school or going to college for the first time”, he explains.

It’s not just those looking for a second degree

Although many professionals are looking for a new degree, specialization or refresher courses, this movement also includes people who had to interrupt their studies due to lack of time, financial issues or family responsibilities.

“There are workers who spent years prioritizing family and employment. When they find a more flexible type of education, they are able to return to studying without giving up their income”, says the expert.

Distance learning has expanded the possibilities

The growth of teaching the distance made this recovery more viable for many Brazilians. With flexible schedules, students can adapt their study routine to work and personal commitments.

For Tiago Zanolla, this modality expanded access especially for those who believed they had already lost the opportunity to study. “The challenge was often never a lack of desire. It was the difficulty of fitting a college into your routine. Today there are models that allow you to balance work, family and studies much more easily”, he highlights.

Technology requires constant updating

In addition to the search for better salaries, another factor that drives this return is the speed of change technological. New tools and new ways of working require continuous learning in virtually all professions.

In the expert’s opinion, professional experience continues to be important, but it needs to go hand in hand with constant updating. “It’s not enough to just accumulate years of work. Professionals who continue learning tend to adapt better to changes and expand their opportunities throughout their career.”

How to choose a good course

Before starting a new training, it is worth observing some important points:

• Check whether the institution is accredited by the Ministry of Education (MEC);
• Assess whether the training is aligned with your professional goals;
• Analyze the flexibility of your study routine;
• Research the quality of support offered to students;
• Compare the investment with the benefits that the course can bring to your career.

It’s never too late to go back to studying

Regardless of age or professional status, returning to studies can open new paths. Today it is common to find in the same classroom young people looking for their first degree, professionals who want to grow in their careers and adults who have decided to complete a stage of education interrupted years ago.

“Education no longer has a deadline. Learning has become a tool to keep up with changes in professional life and also to carry out personal projects that were postponed for a long time”, concludes Tiago Zanolla.

By Carolina Lara