Learning New Skills as an Adult: Is it Really that Easy?

Dec 4, 2024 | Career Advice, Certificate Programs, Professional Development

While learning new skills as an adult comes with its challenges, you really can teach an old dog new tricks. How? Take a few minutes with us as we debunk the myth that it’s too late to learn new skills as an adult. Continuing education after years of not being in a classroom setting can be a daunting undertaking for many adults, especially those who didn’t enjoy the traditional classroom that came with their primary education. However, continuing education for professional development is not only often necessary, it is crucial in order for those older in the workforce to remain relevant in their respective fields, or have the chance to break into a new industry. Learning new skills as an adult is just as rewarding as it was when you were young.

Common Misconceptions About Learning as an Adult

There are a few common misconceptions about learning new skills as an adult we want to address first. As a school who prioritizes supporting nontraditional students, we understand the myths adults carry about their educational opportunities. Here are just a few of them…

Myth #1: Once you’ve landed a career, you don’t need to go back to school.
Myth #2: It is impossible to fit an education when working full time and/or supporting a family.
Myth #3: It is a lot harder to learn after 25.

Sound familiar? Let’s debunk them real quick.

The reality is that sometimes your current career asks you to upskill in a few areas to stay relevant, or you get laid off and need to change industries completely and your work experience might help with a new role, but you need to learn some new skills. You might have a 9-5 and have to come home to a house full of kids hungry for dinner or working overtime every week to make it to the end of each month. It isn’t impossible to prioritize a few minutes a day to find an opportunity that will fit learning into your life, like taking an online course designed to work around the schedules of the modern workforce. Believing that it is a lot harder to learn after 25 is more about misconceptions about the plasticity of adult brains. People have different barriers to learning, as mentioned by Rachel Wu, PhD, on American Psychological Association’s Podcast. She also explains that “some have a lot of motivation and very few resources. Some have a lot of resources and very little motivation. Some people have a lot of motivation, a lot of resources, and relatively low cognitive abilities to be able to pick up what they want to learn.” Her research focuses on learning and attention to maximize cognitive agility from infancy to aging adulthood and debunks every myth that adults might have about learning and is worth listening to: You can learn new things at any age, Episode 282.

Why Learning New Skills as an Adult Can Actually Be Easier

Learning new skills as an adult can actually be easier than you might think, thanks to the wealth of experiences you’ve gained over the years. Unlike in traditional school settings, where learning often feels abstract, your real-world experiences have already equipped you with practical knowledge and valuable soft skills, such as focus, discipline, and problem-solving. These qualities are crucial for succeeding in continuing education, giving you an edge over someone just starting out.

As adults, we must be aware of the plasticity of our brains as it’s crucial for how we learn new skills. While learning new skills can never be as easy as it was when we were kids, it is easier than you think. Check out this post: How We Learn New Skills: Brain Plasticity and the Learning Journey.

With experience comes expertise—whether you’ve honed it in the workplace, through personal projects, or by navigating life’s challenges. Often, this expertise simply needs refinement or alignment with current industry standards. Adult learners bring a clarity and purpose to their studies that stems from their established career goals, making it easier to stay motivated and see the value in upskilling once continuing education.

Plus, learning as an adult has never been more accessible. The abundance of online tools, flexible programs, and self-paced courses available today means you can tailor your learning to fit your schedule and needs. Whether you’re juggling a full-time job, family commitments, or both, there’s a program out there designed to help you succeed without sacrificing your other responsibilities.

Wanting to Upskill is a Sign of Professional Growth Already Happening

Acknowledging that upskilling is needed as an adult can feel like an internal alarm going off, signaling a desire to perform more effectively in your current role or to explore new opportunities. How you respond to that alarm is what truly matters. Embracing learning as an adult isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress and opening doors to skills and possibilities you might not have realized were within your reach. At Digital Workshop Center (DWC), we make the process of upskilling accessible, affordable, and achievable for professionals at any stage of their journey. Our certificate programs and stand-alone courses focus on the most in-demand skills in today’s job market and are designed with busy adults in mind, offering flexible online schedules, hands-on support, professional growth webinars, and career coaching. Whether you’re diving into Adobe Cloud tools, mastering Microsoft Office essentials, or building expertise in data analytics, web development, or digital marketing, DWC has resources to help you succeed.

Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back. Explore our programs today and take the first step toward transforming your professional potential. Don’t just take our word for it, either. Below are just a few of our favorite alumni success stories. Click here to watch interviews with Alumni!

New Year Discount: $1,500 off ANY DWC certificate program!

Ready to elevate your skills? Save $1,500 on ANY Q1 certificate program! Most Q1 programs start January 2025. Simply attend an info session and submit your application with the code UPSKILL to take advantage of this limited-time offer.

Click here to see what Certificate Programs we offer