Your skillset today may be obsolete tomorrow. That’s a reality professionals need to face if they mean to stay competitive in their respective fields. The World Economic Forum says this year’s graduates might just find themselves having to learn new skills in a mere three years from now.
As technology continues to advance at a breakneck pace, particularly in finance, communications and entrepreneurship, you either evolve along with it, or run the risk of becoming unemployable. Dollars and Sense has identified data analytics, compliance, sales and digital communications as the top four skills that employers in banking and finance look for in potential hires.
A degree in mathematics or computer science is no longer enough, as a specialist in this field must be able to make sense of data, as well as gather it. In the wake of recent financial crises and scandals, the industry has had to comply with ever more exacting regulatory requirements. And with the digitisation of marketing communications, anyone aiming to make it in banking and finance needs not only to be able to sell, but to do so through the right online channels.
That up-to-date presentation, discussion and digital skills are in higher demand than ever, may be seen in the more than 30,000 jobs in Information and Communications Technology or ICT that Today Online says are waiting to be filled.
But it is the “T” in ICT that spells the difference between making it as an entrepreneur or closing shop in today’s workplace. When coupled with good, old fashioned business sense, cutting-edge technology and the skills that go with it are essential to any enterprise—be it in manufacturing or retail, transportation or construction. You must keep your skills current to remain relevant to your customers.
Continuing education for professionals therefore becomes indispensable to success in the workplace. If you’re in the market, it gives potential employers a stronger incentive for hiring you; if you’re already employed, it paves the way for further advancement.
While employability coaches can help you chart a course toward your career goals, it is acquiring the necessary competency that will enable you to reach them. To this end, SMU Academy offers continuing credit bearing programmes and professional certificate courses designed to update a student’s skillset regardless of what stage he is at in his career.
These courses include Business and Entrepreneurship; Finance, Financial IT and Risk Management; and Digital Transformation, Analytics and Cyber Security. Credit bearing programmes are offered as a series of stackable modules leading to Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Master’s degrees. Examples of these programmes under the Communication Management and Strategy course, for instance, include Data Analytics, Digital Marketing and Digital Media.
The Academy continues SMU’s endeavours in support of Singapore’s commitment to developing a competent and competitive workforce. Prior to the Academy’s establishment, SMU had already been working closely with government agencies and private corporations to develop and deliver cutting edge and industry relevant programmes for busy working professionals.
By focusing on practical skills specific to key industries, SMU Academy enables professionals to evolve as needed in an everchanging workplace. Discover how continuing education at SMU Academy can give you the edge you need today.
