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Invest in Yourself: Make a Sustainable Investment with Continuing Education!
In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, there is only one investment that always pays off: investing in yourself. But how can you invest in yourself? And what are the benefits of so-called "self-investment"? We explain what is important!
The first step on your path towards investing in yourself is to decide how you want to invest. The top priority is, of course, health and well-being. Regular exercise, a vitamin-rich diet and stress management techniques are essential for your performance. Personal coaching or therapeutic support can also be valuable investments, as these services help you to better understand your individual strengths and weaknesses and work on them in a targeted manner.
When it comes to your career, personal growth and improving your own skills, targeted education is a particularly effective way of investing in yourself. Whether MBA, Master's, Bachelor’s or compact seminar - all these training courses offer you valuable benefits. They broaden your horizons, improve your career and salary opportunities, and open up new career prospects. Especially in times of economic uncertainty and professional upheaval, it is extremely important to gain a competitive advantage through continuing education. This investment in yourself therefore not only brings short-term benefits, but also pays off in the long term.
Professional and personal development offers far more than just the opportunity to advance your career. It is an investment that pays off on various levels and brings you numerous benefits. We have the top 5 reasons why continuing education is always the right investment:
Improved Career Prospects: Specialized training programs open up new career opportunities and increase your chances of obtaining higher positions and areas of responsibility. They give you a competitive edge on the job market and help you to stand out from the competition.
Increased Salary Potential: Many graduates report significant salary increases after completing an executive education program. Our most recent alumni survey shows that 46% of our MBA graduates received a salary increase after completing their MBA at the WU Executive Academy, underlining the financial return on your investment.
Expansion of Skills and Knowledge: Continuing education gives you the opportunity to learn new skills, and refresh existing knowledge, gain up-to-date expertise and learn the right tools. This not only improves your professional performance, but also prepares you effectively for future challenges; newly acquired skills can also take your career to the next level.
Building a Valuable Network: In addition, during a continuing education program, you have the opportunity to make contacts and exchange ideas with others. This allows you to build up a network of professionals with a similar career background, which can be of great benefit to you both in your current position and for new career goals.
Personal Development and Satisfaction: Moreover, to professional benefits, continuing education also promotes your personal development. You improve your soft skills, such as communication skills and time management, and develop greater self-awareness and determination, also with regard to new challenges or professional development. This generally contributes to greater personal satisfaction and a clearer understanding of your professional goals.
When you invest in yourself, you also need to be able to assess whether it pays off. This is where the "ROI" comes into play!
What Does ROI Mean?
Return on investment (ROI for short) is a measure of how much profit or benefit you can gain from an investment and shows you whether an investment has paid off. In short, ROI indicates how the money spent on an investment compares to the benefits or profits gained from it.
How is the Return on Investment Calculated?
You determine the ROI by dividing the profit you have made from an investment by the cost of the investment, and then expressing the result as a percentage. A simple way to think about this is: "How much did I invest and how much did I get back?"
In the context of continuing education, a high ROI shows that the investment has paid off in the form of salary increases, better career opportunities and personal growth.
The WU Executive Academy's annual alumni survey impressively demonstrates the impact an MBA can have on personal and professional development:
97% of respondents confirmed that the MBA has contributed significantly to their personal development
92% stated that their strategic thinking had improved as a result of their studies
89% reported a positive impact on their cross-functional skills
46% reported an increase in salary
27% of alumni achieved a top management position since graduating
18% successfully founded their own company
Overall, 92% of graduates would recommend the WU Executive Academy to others.
*These results are based on the Alumni Survey 2023, which was conducted five years after graduation, and the FT EMBA Ranking 2023, which was conducted three years after graduation.
You can find more success stories and impressive career paths of our alumni on our website. Here, you can find out more about the diverse successes and experiences of our former students.
The WU Executive Academy offers numerous opportunities to invest in yourself - our study programs are tailored to your individual needs and accessible for every level of education. Whether for newcomers or experienced managers, our part-time programs vary in duration and content and can be flexibly combined with your career.
The decision to invest in continuing education is an important step on the path to professional success and personal development. To ensure that you make the best possible choice in the type of continuing education you choose, it is important to carefully analyze your individual needs and goals.
Here are some strategies and tips to help you find the right program and get the most out of your investment:
The first step to investing intelligently and choosing the right training program is a thorough analysis of your professional goals and current skills. Ask yourself:
Where do I currently stand in my career, and where do I want to go?
What skills and knowledge do I need to achieve my goals?
What type of continuing education is best suited to my professional tasks and personal strengths?
It can be helpful to make a list of your strengths and weaknesses and consider in which areas you would like to develop. Also consider the requirements of your industry and current market trends.
With so many continuing education programs available, it can be difficult to make a decision. That's why the WU Executive Academy offers comprehensive advising and support to help you choose the right program. Our counseling services include:
Individual Consultation Sessions: Our experienced advisors are on hand to discuss your goals and needs and provide you with tailored recommendations.
Information Events: Attend our events to learn more about the various programs and ask questions directly to our experts.
Access to Alumni Networks: Benefit from the experience of our graduates and be inspired by their success stories.
Online Program Search: Use our online tool "Brainiac" for self-assessment and program selection to make an informed decision.
We're with you every step of the way in your decision-making process, making sure you find the program that best fits your goals and circumstances. Your education is an investment in your future, and we're here to help you get the most out of your investment.
As described above, choosing the right program depends on your individual goals, your current professional situation, and your long-term career ambitions.
Here you will find an overview of the various educational programs offered by the WU Executive Academy and their specific characteristics, which will help you find the right continuing education option for you:
An MBA (Master of Business Administration; also Executive MBA) provides comprehensive knowledge in business administration and management. Participants strengthen their leadership skills and expand their strategic thinking while gaining in-depth knowledge in areas such as finance, marketing, project management or entrepreneurship. They also benefit from a valuable network that will support them on their future career path.
The MBA program is primarily aimed at professionals with several years of experience who want to advance their careers. This includes executives, managers and entrepreneurs who want to expand their management skills and strategic knowledge.
The WU Executive Academy offers a wide range of MBA programs that you can complete in just a few semesters while working. These programs combine a first-class academic education with practical experience and allow you to effectively pursue your career goals without having to give up your professional commitments.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree course offers you the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge in a variety of subject areas. A bachelor’s degree is ideal for career starters and young professionals who are looking for a solid academic foundation. The master’s degree is aimed at people who have already gained professional experience and would like to specialize in a subject area at a higher academic level.
The WU Executive Academy offers a selection of part-time bachelor's and master’s programs tailored to different industries. From leadership, accounting and social innovation to marketing, event management, logistics and more.
Extra-occupational certificate programs are ideal for professionals who want to further their education in their specialist area and are looking for a strong industry focus. These programs offer you an academic introduction and enable you to acquire new knowledge quickly and practically. Compared to a bachelor’s degree, certificate programs are more compact in terms of time, allowing you to efficiently integrate your further education into your everyday working life.
The WU Executive Academy offers various part-time certificate programs that are specially tailored to current industry needs and provide you with high-quality, compact academic training.
Compact training courses are ideal for specialists and managers who want to expand their knowledge in a specific subject area within a few months. New knowledge can be transferred into professional practice, particularly quickly.
As part of the short programs at the WU Executive Academy, you will benefit from experienced lecturers who will provide you with valuable insights and practice-oriented knowledge. The wide range of courses is specially tailored to different subject areas and current trends to provide you with targeted, high-quality continuing education.
Not the right program? No problem! Let Brainiac help! Our AI chatbot will guide you through our range and find exactly the right program for you. Start your search with Brainiac now!
The decision to invest in yourself is one of the best you can make for your career and personal development. In an ever-changing world, it is more important than ever to continue learning and acquiring new skills.
Enhanced qualifications open up new career prospects and opportunities for promotion or professional reorientation. This investment pays off in the long term and contributes to your success and, ultimately your satisfaction.
Your continuing education is an investment in your future. Start now and take the first step towards a promising future. Invest in yourself!