Everyone has an area of expertise when it comes to using their abilities to the fullest. If you’ve been to college and graduated, you can justifiably consider yourself an authority on the subject. Similarly, if you have a long history of employment in a certain area, you can point to that as a demonstration that you know how things work in that regard. In each of the above cases, these are things that employers will be looking for when you come to apply for a job at their company. They are mostly useful strings for your bow.
However, let’s say you have an engineering degree. Or equally, you have been working as an engineer for ten years. Through no fault of your own, the company you work for goes bankrupt and you find yourself looking for a new job. But as the dissolution of his former company now shows, the market for engineers is crowded, and those companies that are still in business are looking to keep costs down in order to compete in this crowded market. You could be looking for a job for a long time before you hit gold. Especially in times of economic downturn, specialized knowledge can be less beneficial than it should be.
It’s never a bad time to learn a second (or third, or… you get the picture) skill. Even while you’re at a job, it’s worth looking to the future. Statistics show that many people spend an average of two to three years in a job. This occurs for many reasons: career breaks, layoffs, illness and more, and often the change is unforeseen. So it pays to have the extra knowledge in your arsenal. Studying another language, taking an accounting course, or learning a trade like plumbing or electricity are just some of the additional skills that come up with particular frequency.
There are different opinions on how to choose the best extra ability. Some would say that if, for example, you work as an electrician, learning plumbing is a useful second skill to learn. After all, when new houses are built, plumbers and electricians will be needed to complete the job. You will build a range of contacts who will be able to work your way. Others disagree, saying that learning a skill that differs significantly is better because when not many new houses are being built, electricians and plumbers may find themselves in the same boat, but an accountant may have a lot of work. There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument, but it’s really best for you to decide for yourself, as it’s undeniable that people learn best when they’re most comfortable.
