Celebrating National Career Development Month: Our Employees Share 4 Steps to Advance Your Career

At Cengage Group, we ‘Put Learning First’, it is a core pillar of our ethos. We believe in the power and joy of learning, and its ability to propel people forward into a better life. This commitment to learners extends to how we think about employee investment and development. As part of our benefits package, eligible employees have access to our Education Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance for eligible certifications and tuition for General Educational Development (GED), undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies.

We have seen firsthand how education empowers individuals to transform their lives and help them in achieving their goals, regardless of their career stage. We know there are a range of pathways for learners to gain the skills needed to help them enter the job market and grow in their career, that is why we offer employees a range of opportunities, in addition to the Education Assistance Program, including access to online Udemy content, ed2go courses, professional development workshops, 360 Degree Feedback and Coaching and more.

To celebrate National Career Development Month, we spoke with four employees who took advantage of our Education Assistance Program to enhance their skills and grow in their careers.

 

1. Build a Support Network

Zack H., Account Executive, has worked at Cengage Group for six and a half years. He started off working on our Customer Support team and eventually transitioned onto our Inside Sales team.

Zack shared that when he initially attended college, he found himself unsure of his path and dropped out to focus on work. However, with his first child on the way, Zack felt a sense of responsibility to provide a better life for his family and decided to pursue his dream of earning a degree through the Education Assistance Program.

Zack enrolled in the Business Administration program at Indiana Tech, which specifically caters to working adults. This offered a high degree of flexibility the benefitted Zack throughout his education journey.

For Zack, juggling his professional responsibilities, coursework, and the demands of caring for a newborn required careful time management and dedication. Establishing a routine and receiving support from his wife and parents helped him stay on track.

Participating in the Education Assistance Program opened doors for Zack, leading to his current position as an Account Executive.  He encourages others to take the leap and explore educational possibilities, emphasizing that there will always be reasons not to pursue something. With tailored programs and financial assistance, like those provided by Cengage Group, individuals have low-stakes opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills.

 

2. Prioritize Continuous Learning

Shiela S., Enrollment Training Specialist, has been with Cengage Group for 10 years! Her decision to enroll in the Education Assistance Program was driven by her personal goal of completing her education and continuing professional growth.

Pursuing an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration and currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on Management, Shiela faced and still faces the challenge of balancing full-time work and learning. Careful organization continues to play a key role in managing her workload.

Setting a good example for her adult children and grandchildren kept Shiela motivated throughout her education journey. Shiela believes in the importance of lifelong learning and self-improvement and wanted to demonstrate that growth knows no age limits.

Since furthering her education, Shiela has progressed from an Enrollment Representative to her current role as an Enrollment Training Specialist for ed2go. The knowledge gained through her coursework has directly impacted her ability to contribute more strategically. Her enhanced data analysis skills have allowed her to evaluate training effectiveness and align programs with the sales team's needs.

Shiela encourages individuals to view learning as a long-term investment, fostering curiosity, proactivity and the utilization of available tools for continuous professional growth. She firmly believes that continuous learning is a personal investment that propels career growth.

 

3. Integrate Personal and Professional Growth

Hans L., Manager of Cybersecurity, joined our team six and a half years ago. His motivation to enroll in our Education Assistance Program stemmed from his firm belief in the transformative power of education for personal and professional growth. The program's streamlined process for submitting documentation and reimbursement requests further solidified his decision, allowing him to focus on his studies without administrative concerns.

Hans pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, complemented by the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. With 20 years of IT experience, this educational journey built upon Hans’ associate’s degree in applied science in information technology.

Balancing full-time work, learning and family responsibilities presented challenges, but with the support of his wife, Hans successfully managed. Time blocking helped him stay focused and on track. Hans shared that furthering his education has enhanced his professional growth, making him a more effective manager with a broader perspective on Cybersecurity & Compliance.

Hans encourages individuals to leverage employer-provided education assistance programs, emphasizing that it's never too late to acquire new skills and achieve personal goals. He also stressed the importance of prioritizing well-being and family time while pursuing professional development. In his case, he managed to lose 50 pounds by exercising while listening to courses, demonstrating the integration of personal and professional growth.

 

4. Explore Your Passions

Lindsey S., Associate Campaign Execution Manager, joined Cengage Group three years ago. Motivated by her long-standing goal of earning a bachelor's degree and providing a better life for her son with special needs, Lindsey enrolled in our Education Assistance Program. She noted that Cengage Group’s strong work-life balance culture made her educational journey over the past two years achievable.

Pursuing a double major in Business Administration and Strategic Organizational Leadership, Lindsey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilmington College. Building upon her marketing background, these degrees were natural progressions in her career growth.

Lindsey admitted that working, learning and being a full-time mom wasn’t always easy. She credits the unwavering support from colleagues and family – and a lot of coffee - to help her make it through.

Furthering her education played a crucial role in Lindsey's career growth. Her degrees provided her with new skills, a stronger strategic mindset, enhanced leadership abilities and a deeper understanding of organizational dynamics. These assets enable her to contribute more effectively to her team and the company as a whole.

As November marks National Career Development Month, Lindsey said that the time is now! Exploring new opportunities, embracing discomfort and challenging yourself leads to personal and professional growth. She advised not to hold back when pursuing a passion, regardless of the stage of life one is in.

 

Learn More:

Learn more about how Cengage Group’s culture nurtures career growth in our Employee Training and Development blog. Read our Tides are Turing blog to discover how upskilling, reskilling and clear paths to advancement are helping employers engage today’s workforce.