PE Structural Exam 2026 Updates: How the New Time Extension Affects Your Study Plan

The PE Structural exam has always been a significant milestone for aspiring structural engineers—a rigorous test demanding not just technical expertise but also the ability to pace yourself under timed conditions. With the 2026 updates, the biggest headline is the exam’s new time extension. As educators guiding thousands of engineers through this journey at School of PE, we want to help you understand how this change impacts your preparation, your exam strategy, and ultimately, your path to that coveted PE license.

In this Blog,

1. Understanding the 2026 PE Structural Exam Time Extension

2. Key Exam Structure Updates: What’s Actually Changing?

3. How Will This Impact Your Study Plan?

4. Strategic Adjustments for the 2026 PE Structural Exam

5. Top Tips for Maximizing Your Preparation in Light of the 2026 Changes

6. Common Questions: PE Structural Exam 2026 Time Extension

7. Your Next Steps

Understanding the 2026 PE Structural Exam Time Extension

Exam time extensions rarely happen, and when they do, they’re a response to real feedback from examinees. For 2026, the board has extended the structural PE Exam duration (details released officially through the NCEES and state boards). What does this mean for you?

• More Time Per Question: The additional time means you get a higher average time per problem. This could reduce exam-day pressure, allowing for more thoughtful solutions and error-checking.
• Better Comprehension: For questions that require detailed analysis or complex calculations, you’ll have the bandwidth to slow down and avoid careless mistakes.
• More Complex Scenarios: The extension might also mean slightly more complex or integrative questions, given that the board expects you to demonstrate a range of abilities.

But beware—more time doesn’t always equal more ease. In fact, it challenges your endurance and focus in new ways, so you’ll want to adapt your preparation accordingly.

Key Exam Structure Updates: What’s Actually Changing?

Let’s break down exactly what’s new heading into 2026 so you can adjust your plans early on.

• Extended Duration: The total exam time is longer than in previous years. For example, if the exam previously allowed 8 hours, it might now be closer to 9 hours (check the official board announcement for specific numbers as they are finalized).
• Section Timing: Expect rebalanced time blocks for different vertical and lateral force components, case studies, and design scenarios.
• Slightly Adjusted Content Emphasis: With more time, some sections may emphasize deeper critical thinking and multi-step problem-solving—not just the speed of recall.

It’s crucial you get your information directly from the NCEES or your state board and work with a PE prep provider, like us, who continually updates our courses with the latest exam specifications.

How Will This Impact Your Study Plan?

Now comes the most critical question for your PE journey: How should you adapt your study routine and mindset?

1. Rethink Your Time Management Drills

• Simulate the Full Exam Duration: Practice taking longer mock exams to build mental endurance. Don’t just practice the typical 8-hour test; extend your sessions to match the new format.
• Break Practice into Realistic Blocks: Use the extended time to rehearse more nuanced strategies—flagging difficult questions, thorough reviewing, and double-checking calculations, just as you’ll be able to do on the real test.

2. Deepen, Don’t Lengthen, Your Content Mastery

• Pace Yourself for Comprehension: Don’t just memorize formulas—aim for conceptual fluency. More time per question means you should be prepared for deeper, multi-step problem sets.
• Practice Integrative Scenarios: Expect higher-level, real-world case problems. Leverage practice questions that mirror this complexity—focus especially on structural system design, load paths, and code applications.

3. Monitor Your Energy and Focus

• Active Breaks: With a longer exam, plan for strategic breaks (those you’re permitted), just as you would for a marathon—not a sprint. Practice stamina along with accuracy.
• Nutrition and Hydration: Train as you intend to perform (think snacks, hydration, and stress management) during your study sessions so you’re not caught off guard on exam day.

Strategic Adjustments for the 2026 PE Structural Exam

Your strategy, more than ever, matters. Here’s how you can make the most of the extended time:

• Plan Buffer Time: Build a 10-15% buffer in your time plans for each section so that you’re never rushed at the end.
• Review Strategically: Schedule intervals to review flagged problems or double-check calculation-heavy items.
• Mock Exam Feedback: After every simulated test, analyze exactly where you spent extra time and where you sped through questions—refine, don’t just repeat.
• Resource Navigation: Extended exams may tempt you to overuse references. Practice targeted searching and rapid referencing so you don’t lose precious minutes flipping through codes and specs.

Top Tips for Maximizing Your Preparation in Light of the 2026 Changes

• Don’t Delay Practice Exams: Integrate full-length practice tests early and often—waiting until “the end” to do your first full simulation is a recipe for surprise and stress.
• Leverage Community: Join a cohort or study group (many of our students connect in our live sessions and forums)—shared experiences can build stamina and provide fresh insights.
• Iterate, Don’t Panic: Use every practice attempt to adjust—not just your technical skills, but your time allocation and mental breaks too.
• Tap Instructor Expertise: In our courses, you’ll find structural engineers who’ve taken the exam themselves and understand the nuances of these changes—exploit Q&A sessions and instructor feedback.

Common Questions: PE Structural Exam 2026 Time Extension

• Will there be more questions or just more time? As of now, the focus is on extending time per existing question volume, but always confirm with the official NCEES outlines.
• Is the exam harder or just longer? “Harder” is subjective—more time often means questions can test deeper skill, but with great prep, you can turn this into an advantage.
• How should I modify my study plans? Start your endurance training early! Mix in longer study blocks and simulate the real test environment (snacks, breaks, time tracking, and all).

Your Next Steps

If you’re aiming for the PE Structural in 2026, don’t wait to adapt—you’ve just been handed an opportunity to show depth and resilience. Start building stamina alongside knowledge.

Ready to maximize your chances of passing? Explore our PE Structural Exam prep options now! Let’s navigate these updates together—and give yourself the best shot at passing in one go!

5 Essential Steps to Transition from an Engineering Student to a Professional Engineer

Stepping out of the classroom and into a professional engineering career is both an exciting milestone and a daunting challenge. At School of PE, we’ve seen thousands of future engineers make this leap—each journey is unique, but the key steps to success are universal. Drawing from over 20 years of supporting engineering students and early-career professionals, here’s our detailed guide to successfully transitioning from student to licensed professional engineer.

In this Blog,

1. Step 1: Leverage Internship and Work Experience Early

2. Step 2: Master the Practical Application of Your Knowledge

3. Step 3: Earn Your EIT and Then PE License

4. Step 4: Commit to Lifelong Learning and Professional Development 

5. Step 5: Build Relationships and Find Mentorship

6. Additional Tips for a Smoother Transition

Step 1: Leverage Internship and Work Experience Early

Your journey starts before graduation. Real-world experience is not just desirable; it’s nearly essential. That’s why we urge engineering students to pursue internships, co-ops, or part-time technical roles during their studies:

• Apply classroom concepts: Bridge the gap between theory and practice by tackling real engineering problems in a structured setting.
• Build your network: Work alongside licensed engineers who can offer practical wisdom, references, and future mentorship.
• Understand company culture: Experience first-hand what to expect from professional workplaces and project teams.

Many state licensing boards require several years of supervised engineering work. That process often begins with quality internships.

Step 2: Master the Practical Application of Your Knowledge

It’s one thing to excel in exams; it’s another to tackle the messy, real-life variables engineers face on the job. Employers look for more than textbook knowledge. Begin practicing these essential habits:

• Problem-solving with constraints: Balance safety, cost, regulations, and timelines in your solutions.
• Documentation: Practice clear technical writing—your project reports, calculations, and specifications need to be readable by diverse teams.
• Adaptation: Get comfortable with ambiguity and pivot quickly when project requirements evolve or engineering data is incomplete.

These are the skills that separate the merely competent from the outstanding. Even before you start full-time, volunteer for team projects, lab research, or student competitions that demand hands-on thinking and communication.

Step 3: Earn Your EIT and Then PE License

Licensure is a mark of professional credibility and opens doors to responsibility and advancement. Here’s how the process unfolds:

• Step 1: Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam
  Take this exam as soon as eligible—ideally during or right after your bachelor’s program, when academic material is fresh. Our FE Exam prep resources are designed to guide you through every major discipline.
• Step 2: Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Experience
  Work under the supervision of a Professional Engineer (PE) for the required period (often four years). Be proactive about seeking varied project experience and requesting feedback.
• Step 3: Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam
  Preparation is critical.
  • Identify the PE discipline best aligned with your path (e.g., PE Civil, PE Mechanical, PE Electrical).
  • Take a top-rated engineering exam prep course and create a personalized study plan that incorporates practice problems, reference manuals, and simulated exams.
  • Take advantage of guarantees, like our Pass Guarantee, which provides peace of mind and a safety net.
  • The FE and PE exams are high stakes, but systematic, focused preparation maximizes your chances.

Step 4: Commit to Lifelong Learning & Professional Development

Engineering fields evolve rapidly. Staying current is both a challenge and an opportunity. Make growth intentional:

• Continuing education: Attend industry conferences, enroll in advanced courses, or complete specialty certifications (like LEED or AutoCAD, where appropriate).
• Soft skills: Invest time in developing business communication, project management, and leadership abilities.
• Professional organizations: Join groups such as ASCE, IEEE, or NSPE for up-to-date technical resources, networking, and advocacy.

Many licensing boards also require continuing education credits for license renewal. Being a proactive learner doesn’t just ensure compliance—it broadens your impact and increases your value to employers and clients alike.

Step 5: Build Relationships and Find Mentorship

Professional success isn’t a solo endeavor. The best engineers learn, grow, and accelerate their careers through relationships:

• Find a mentor: Identify seasoned engineers whose careers inspire you. Be curious, ask questions, and seek honest feedback.
• Give back: Share your own evolving insights with recent graduates or student organizations. Teaching others cements your own understanding and strengthens your professional reputation.
• Network intentionally: Stay connected with your internship colleagues, classmates, and industry contacts. Industry is smaller than you think, and opportunities often come from your extended web.

Additional Tips for a Smoother Transition

• Document your achievements: Keep a clear, updated record of projects, responsibilities, and milestones you complete during your EIT period. This makes PE exam applications much smoother later on.
• Embrace failure as learning: Mistakes are inevitable during the move from academia to the workforce. Analyze, learn, and move forward—this adaptive mindset is integral to engineering.
• Prioritize balance: Engineering can be demanding; remember to protect time for family, health, and relaxation to maintain clarity and sustain long-term success.

Conclusion: You’re Not Alone on the Path to PE Licensure

Transitioning from an engineering student to a professional engineer is a pivotal period in your career—one that sets the foundation for decades to come. The journey requires commitment, adaptability, and support. At School of PE, we’re passionate about giving you not just the knowledge to pass your FE and PE exams but the mindset, strategies, and confidence to thrive in your first years as a professional.

Ready for your next step? Explore our FE Exam review courses and PE Exam review courses, or tap into our personalized tutoring to set yourself up for success. If you ever have questions (or just need a little pep talk!), don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly Student Services team. Your engineering future is bright; we can’t wait to be part of your journey!

How to Master the Computer-Based PE Exam: Tips, Tools, and Study Plans

The transition to the computer-based Professional Engineer (PE) exam has changed the landscape of licensure for engineers in the US. At School of PE, we understand how intimidating—and, frankly, confusing—the change from traditional pencil-and-paper formats to computer-based testing (CBT) can be. The good news? Mastering the CBT PE exam is absolutely doable, and with a strategic plan, it’s entirely within your grasp.

In this Blog,

1. Understanding the Computer-Based PE Exam Format

2. How to Tailor Your Study Plan for CBT Success

3. Test-Day Mastery: Strategies for the CBT Setting

4. Most Effective Tools for CBT PE Preparation

5. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

6. Personal Insights: Advice from the School of PE Team

7. Building Your Customized CBT Study Plan: A Roadmap

Understanding the Computer-Based PE Exam Format

The first step in mastering the CBT PE is understanding how it differs from the old format and what that means for your preparation:

• Fixed Reference Handbook: During the exam, you’ll have access only to an official electronic reference handbook. Unlike before, no personal notes or outside materials are allowed, so learning to use this tool efficiently is crucial.
• Onscreen Testing Interface: You’ll answer questions on a computer and utilize digital tools— a virtual calculator, flagging questions, and electronic handbook navigation.
• Time & Structure: Each CBT discipline and module has fixed timing and breaks, adding the extra dimension of digital time management.
• Consistent Testing Environment: All CBT PE exams are offered at Pearson VUE centers, ensuring a standard experience but also new rules for what you can bring and how to handle your materials.

How to Tailor Your Study Plan for CBT Success

We’ve helped tens of thousands of professionals pass their exams, and here’s what we can say from experience: CBT success requires more than rote memorization or just practicing problems. Here’s what we recommend at School of PE for optimal results:

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Official Reference Handbook

If there’s one single thing every test-taker must do, it’s to know the official NCEES reference handbook inside and out. On exam day, this will be your only lifeline—if you can’t navigate it quickly, you will run out of time. Practice every solution, formula lookup, and conceptual check in the context of this handbook, not your old-school notes.

• Download the current handbook (direct from NCEES) months before you plan to test.
• Learn the glossary, table of contents, and bookmarks like the back of your hand.
• Integrate handbook searches into your practice exams and daily drills.

2. Simulate the Digital Testing Environment

Don’t just print out practice quizzes or jot notes on loose paper—set aside regular time to solve problems while strictly using:

• The digital NCEES handbook PDF (not a printed copy).
• Onscreen calculators approved for use in the exam center.
• Online CBT practice interfaces, if possible. Our Question Bank is built for this exact scenario.

This approach decreases test-day anxiety because you’re already comfortable with the tools you’ll be using.

3. Customize Your Study Timeline—the Balanced Approach

We don’t believe in cookie-cutter schedules. Every engineer’s personal and professional life is different. But CBT success has one universal requirement: consistency. Here’s a proven framework you can adapt:

• Months 1-2: Build your foundation—review course content, fill knowledge gaps, and familiarize yourself with key handbook chapters.
• Months 3-4: Ramp up problem-solving in timed sessions. After every set, analyze not just your answers but how quickly you located supporting info in the handbook.
• Final 4-6 Weeks: Take full-length simulated CBTs. Prioritize sleep and self-care. Analyze where you lose time or confidence and zero in on those areas for review.

Test-Day Mastery: Strategies for the CBT Setting

Here’s where we get personal. Based on direct experience (and feedback from thousands of School of PE students), these are the biggest differentiators:

• Exam Interface Hacks: Practice flagging questions, jumping between them, and using the digital calculator—speed comes only with repetition.
• Answer Discipline: CBT exams make it easy to second-guess; train yourself to make calculated choices, flag if uncertain, and keep moving.
• Mindfulness: Test centers are standardized but can be distracting. Practice stress management: breathing exercises, planned water/snack breaks.
• Backup Plans: If the digital handbook crashes (rare, but possible), know the protocol for getting back in the software without panicking.

Most Effective Tools for CBT PE Preparation

Every engineer may prefer a unique mix, but here are tried-and-tested tools for CBT formats that our students keep coming back to:

• Virtual or physical scratch paper: Use this for jotting calculations and diagrams on test day (within the rules for your testing center).
• Online, adaptive practice banks: Curated question banks (like our own Question Bank) specifically mimic the CBT interface, so there are no surprises.
• Time management apps: Apps that replicate the timer and break structure of the real exam can reduce surprise on test day.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here are some pitfalls that even experienced engineers stumble into—we’ll save you the trouble:

• Underestimating the Electronic Handbook: Assuming it’ll be intuitive leads to frantic searching on test day. Instead: rehearse every formula and code lookup on a daily basis.
• Poor Digital Calculator Skills: Virtual calculators differ from handhelds. Practice with the exact interface you’ll encounter.
• Not Practicing Full-Length Exams: Doing single-topic quizzes doesn’t build the same mental stamina you need for a 7-8 hour CBT exam. Schedule at least 2-3 full simulated sessions in the month before.
• Ignoring Rest and Recovery: Burnout is common with high-stakes prep. Build in breaks, and ensure you’re getting quality sleep during your last month.

Personal Insights: Advice from the School of PE Team

Everyone’s engineering journey is unique, but a few core truths hold up:

• Persistence trumps panic. You’ll have tough days—that’s normal. What matters is sticking to your plan and reaching out for help when you hit a roadblock.
• Community counts. Studying in isolation is tough. Whether it’s a formal Live Online study group or a peer you meet at a review course, connecting with others gives accountability and motivation.
• Practice like it’s real. The more often you simulate the CBT environment—tools, timing, even table snacks—the more test day will just feel like another run-through.

Building Your Customized CBT Study Plan: A Roadmap

Here’s a quick outline you can use today:

1. Review the Exam Specifications: Analyze what’s covered for your specific PE discipline so you can weigh focus areas.
2. Conduct a Self-Assessment: Identify your weak points—whether it’s breadth, depth, code lookup speed, or test anxiety.
3. Block Weekly Study Sessions: Start with 3-4 focused hours per week, then ramp up to 8-10 in the final months.
4. Mix Study Techniques: Combine lectures, problem drills, handbook navigation, and CBT practice tests for full coverage.
5. Schedule Rest and Reviews: Build in review days, light study breaks, and at least one or two full practice CBTs before the real exam.

Final Words: You’ve Got This—And We’ve Got Your Back

It’s absolutely achievable to master the computer-based PE exam with the right prep. At School of PE, our entire model—from our PE exam prep courses to our Question Bank—is designed with the CBT experience in mind. We’re committed not just to helping you pass, but to helping you walk in on test day confident in your process and your preparation.

Ready to take the next step? Explore our range of PE Exam Prep Courses and see how we can help you succeed in your CBT journey!

5 Essential Strategies to Master Problem-Solving on the FE and PE Exams

Conquering the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) and PE (Principles and Practice of Engineering) exams is a pivotal milestone for any aspiring or practicing engineer. Through years of supporting tens of thousands of students at School of PE, we've noticed a clear pattern: those who pass consistently approach their preparation differently. It's not just about knowing the material—it's about mastering a proven strategy for problem-solving. Here, we share five essential, experience-driven strategies to help you break through the barrier of exam anxiety, efficiently tackle complex engineering problems, and walk into your exam with genuine confidence.

In this Blog,

1. Become a Time Management Architect

2. Build Unshakeable Foundations in Key Concepts

3. Master the Three-Tier Question Attack

4. Practice with Depth and Deliberate Feedback

5. Use Spaced Repetition to Cement Long-Term Recall

1. Become a Time Management Architect

Time management isn't just about finishing on time-it's about ensuring you allocate your brainpower where it counts. On the FE and PE exams, you’re facing a relentless timer and a wide spectrum of questions, so you need a blueprint for success:

• Establish Section Benchmarks: Before the exam, review the number of questions in each section and set strict time limits (about 2-3 minutes per question for the FE, slightly more for complex PE problems). That means if a section has 40 questions, you should finish in around 80-120 minutes. Set checkpoints to ensure you're on pace every 15-20 questions.
• Apply the 'Move & Mark' Rule: If you're not making meaningful progress after 3 minutes, mark the question, make a quick note, and move on. Return only after all other questions have been attempted. This keeps your mental bandwidth fresh for easier points.
• Prioritize Review Time: Budget at least 10-15 minutes at the end for flagged questions and educated guessing. This is crucial- a rushed review is rarely effective.

2. Build Unshakeable Foundations in Key Concepts

Effective problem-solving isn't magic-it's built on solid foundations. We see many students leap into advanced topics without true fluency in the basics. Here's our approach for mastering core concepts (and saving time on the exam):

• Perfect Basic Math and Engineering Principles: Don't just 'review' algebra, calculus, and statistics-practice until you can do them in your sleep. Set a goal: 90%+ accuracy in these fundamentals before you dive deep into high-level problem sets.
• Link Equations to Real Engineering Scenarios: Use concept maps to visually connect equations (like beam deflection, circuit laws, or fluid mechanics formulas) to actual field applications. This trains your intuition-on exam day, you’ll spot solution paths faster.
• Analyze Model Solutions: Take time to dissect 50–100 worked problem solutions. Identify the decision points that experts use to recognize problem types (e.g., is this a statics, dynamics, or thermodynamics scenario?). Jot down patterns-you'll start spotting them in unfamiliar questions.

3. Master the Three-Tier Question Attack

The quickest way to maximize your score is to attack questions in waves based on their difficulty. Ignore conventional wisdom to start from Question 1 and go in order. Here's how we coach School of PE students for exam efficiency:

Tier	Approach	Target Time
Easy	Identify and solve immediately. Don’t overthink—lock in these points first.	1–2 min each
Moderate	Attempt after easy questions. Allocate more time if necessary, but be strict.	3–4 min each
Hard	Leave for the end. Return with a fresh perspective, and if stuck, make an educated guess and move on.	2 min (max) each

By purposely leaving challenging questions for last, you avoid draining your confidence and ensure that easy points-which are equally weighted-don't get overlooked.

4. Practice with Depth and Deliberate Feedback

Practice is not just about quantity-it's about the quality and intent behind every session. Our instructors regularly see students waste time rehashing the same problem types. Here’s how to practice smarter:

• Mix and Rotate Subjects: Force yourself to tackle questions from all areas (e.g., mechanics, fluids, math, ethics) within each session. This prevents your brain from getting 'tunnel vision' and mimics the unpredictability of the actual exam.
• Create Multiple Solution Paths: For tougher subjects (mechanics, electrical circuits), practice solving the same problem two different ways-algebraic and graphical, for example. It cements your flexibility for curveballs on test day.
• Document Errors and Learn from Them: Maintain an 'error log'-write out why you got a problem wrong, what distracted you, and how you’ll adapt next time. This transforms every mistake into a permanent advantage.
• Leverage Realistic Practice Exams: Make time for at least 3–4 full-length, timed practices simulating test-day conditions. If you're looking for a trusted resource, our FE Exam Review Courses and PE Exam Review Courses both offer hundreds of up-to-date practice problems with expert-written solutions tailored to the exam's evolving format.

5. Use Spaced Repetition to Cement Long-Term Recall

One of the biggest issues we see is students cramming too close to exam day and forgetting foundational material. The solution? Spaced repetition-a scientifically-proven memory technique:

• Review Key Topics in Intervals: Instead of one session per topic, revisit concepts at intervals of 7, 14, and 30 days. This can be managed using digital flashcard platforms or a simple calendar reminder system.
• Prioritize High-Yield Formulas and Methods: Identify and flag formulas (e.g., Bernoulli's equation, Mohr’s circle, ethics codes) that are essential for rapid recall. Practice them in active recall format-write from memory, don't just reread.
• Weekly Mock Tests: Starting 2 months before your exam, take a weekly, mixed-discipline practice test. This stress-tests your memory retrieval and hones your test stamina. 

Bonus: Strengthen Exam-Day Strategy with a Professional Community

We can't overstate the power of group momentum and expert guidance. Regularly connect with fellow candidates or professional mentors for timed drills, troubleshooting tough questions, and sharing insights-these real-world connections often lead to both higher scores and stronger career networks.

• Join Peer Study Groups: Explaining a solution out loud to a peer uncovers your blind spots and helps solidify concepts in your brain.
• Ask for Feedback: Seek advice on your solution pathways or exam strategy from those who have recently passed. At School of PE, our seasoned instructors make mentorship an integral part of every course cohort.

Final Thoughts: Make Problem-Solving Your Edge

Mastering the FE and PE exams is more than a rite of passage-it's a launchpad for an impactful career in engineering. By building strong fundamentals, being methodical with your time, and practicing deliberately across all knowledge areas, you'll do more than pass the test-you'll shape yourself into a problem solver employers trust. If you’re looking for structured, proven support on this journey and resources developed by experts, browse our current FE and PE prep courses. We're here to help you get the edge you deserve.

Ready to take your problem-solving skills to the next level? Explore School of PE’s industry-leading review courses and discover why we back our courses with a Pass Guarantee.

Promoting Career Growth: Training as a Catalyst for Advancement Opportunities

Career growth is one of the most important aspects of finding a job that fits a person. Once somebody finds a job that they’re interested in or that has a solid financial package, they’re willing to invest more in the company - more time, more money, and more emotion- when the company has an equal investment in them. It’s important at that point that the employee feels that their career is equally important to that of their employer. Training opportunities are an excellent way to help promote career growth and act as a catalyst for future career advancement. Career growth opportunities at work are a simple way to prove this investment and create an avenue for advancement. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of providing career growth opportunities at work and some tips that will help level up your career.

In this Blog,

1. Why is it important to provide career growth opportunities at work?

2. Training Tips to Level Up Your Career

Why is it important to provide career growth opportunities at work?

Complacency is the enemy of progress, and while minor growth comes from the actual doing of standard job tasks at work, it’s easy to fall into complacency, especially when we know what we’re doing. The biggest requirement for growth (personal and professional) is challenge. There is no progress if employees aren’t continually challenged. Career growth opportunities can come in a variety of ways, and offering these opportunities at work has its own set of benefits.

Increased Engagement- Engagement between employees is a fantastic benefit of work-study. Engaged employees do a better job of the same work as others who are less than excited about the work. Engagement can look different depending on the type of growth in mind. For example, in exam review courses, employees have the opportunity to study together, gain new insights into subjects they were limited in before, and gain access to a pool of knowledge and experience they might otherwise not have been given.

Increased Retention- Offering training experiences within the workspace comes with the hope that employees will stay loyal to the company for the foreseeable future, but there is the expectation that sometimes, some will transfer to jobs that better suit them. Training that is job and company-specific while still giving employees the skills necessary to thrive anywhere is actually an excellent method of retaining top employees. With the proper investment in the employee, the employer may see a return on that investment by training and onboarding fewer employees.

Potential for Innovation- Training on top of work is a hefty task. It requires diligence, determination, and an extra seven hours in the day to complete. Alas, there are still only twenty-four, so creativity is necessary when it comes to the balance of both. The creativity necessary to complete both leads to innovation in the workplace that benefits the group as a whole.

Improved Performance- Because we all like a good challenge in our lives, employees who feel motivated by the opportunity for growth will rise to the challenge and do their best. This motivation will bleed into other areas of your organization and boost their performance as well.

Increased Opportunity for Internal Advancement- Employee retention is an often-overlooked benefit of training opportunities. Oftentimes, it can feel like training only serves the trainee and their own career. However, training with the specific intention of retaining top employees offers the company a greater opportunity to maintain their own employee pool over a longer period of time. There will always be that turnover rate, but when the opportunity is offered for internal career advancement, and employees are constantly trained with the company in mind, retention increases, and the budget for onboarding employees can be drastically reduced. Not to mention that the employee is already trained in the company's standard operating procedures, so the training time is also reduced.

Training Tips to Level Up Your Career

Training within the workplace can take your career to new places, and the opportunity to take advantage of career development within the workplace is not something offered to everybody. Nor is it always a formal event. Here are a few tips to use when deciding on training opportunities and if they’re likely to take you where you want to go.

1. Define your career goals. Goals are important because they provide directions to follow and create a guide for every decision you make as an employee. It’s like taking a long drive. Without knowing exactly where you’re going (or at least a general idea), you wander the roads, never really making it anywhere.
2. Know your career options. Keeping with the map analogy, knowing where you’re going is valuable information, but knowing all the different paths you can take to get there is equally as important. If you want to take the streamlined roads, you’ll know which training opportunities to follow rather than letting them pass you by. Having a good idea of what training options are available to you can give you a better idea of how long it will take to get to your desired goal.
3. Consider leadership development programs. No matter your eventual goal, leadership will be an important quality that can make or break your chances for success. There are classes specific to leadership and others where leadership is a nice byproduct. Either way, these leadership opportunities are a good way to develop your integrity as a businessperson.
4. Utilize mentorships whenever possible. Mentors are excellent resources for career advancement. A mentor is a trusted and experienced advisor, somebody meant to train a younger colleague in everything they know. This mentor can come from within the organization or outside. They provide invaluable information, such as strategies for speed and precision, technical know-how, and practical career/work guidance. A mentor can help establish a path to success within or outside of the organization.
5. Request new responsibilities to challenge yourself. Taking new responsibilities upon yourself is a great way of establishing yourself as a trustworthy and efficient person. These responsibilities also require the creation and development of new skills, such as time management and technical knowledge, within the scope of their new job requirements. It proves your reliability and determination as well.
6. Take advantage of offered sponsorships. Sponsorships are similar to mentorships in that a sponsor can also act as a mentor. However, the key difference is that a sponsor involves a person advocating for you directly in order to provide better career opportunities based on your ability and potential. A sponsor can also have a drastic effect on a person’s expected pay. As of 2019, statistics indicated that those with a sponsor were paid 11.6% more than those who did not.
7. Don’t discount internal advancement opportunities. While career advancement is often referred to in terms of transferring companies as a form of advancement, it’s important to recognize the viability of advancing internally within a job family. This is where employee retention benefits both the employee and the company. There’s no need to onboard in either scenario.
8. Strengthen your networking skills with volunteer opportunities. Volunteer work is oftentimes overlooked as a career advancement tool. It shows your willingness to go beyond your job requirements. It also gives you the opportunity to create connections in a community other than the workplace that can potentially benefit the work you do. Even if the networking itself doesn’t have a direct impact on your job, the connections you’ve made and the work you’ve done are valuable.
9. Seek jobs with a defined career path and job family. While it can be fun to figure things out on your own and find your way through the muck, having an already predetermined path to follow eliminates the uncertainty that initially comes with growth and development. Going back to the road trip analogy, it would be like trying to carve your own road when one is already defined and accessible. By going into a field that has a predetermined path toward advancement, you eliminate the questions that arise from creating something new altogether.
10. Invest in your strengths. While training is often geared towards new skills, it’s also important to look inward. Discover the strengths and skills that come naturally to you. Generally, when we recognize these skills and are able to develop them, it’s because our minds automatically gravitate towards this type of thinking. The active development of these innate skills can make them much stronger and invaluable to yourself and the company.

Employee training is an important tool for the creation and development of new career opportunities. Whether the new career opportunity is within the original organization or in a new one, the training instances received in their various methods develop employees who are prepared mentally and physically to meet the demands of their new job description.

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About the Author: Anna Taylor

Anna Taylor is a freelance writer and avid researcher- a jack of all trades, but a master of none. She graduated from the University of Hawai'i with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts because she had no idea what she wanted to be when she grew up. She has since found her love of Extended Reality and the possibilities it brings to the world, as well as gardening, cooking, and writing. Anna lives in Interior Alaska with her family.