# webinar Future forward

New skills have the potential to help you unlock new opportunities._Bookmark_this page to continue exploring skills-based opportunities.

[Our skills philosophy](#skills-in-week)×  
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## Skills can work for you when you are able to work for them

“

Having visibility to career-relevant mapped skills they are gaining in their courses means our learners can talk about skills they've demonstrated and empowers them.”

**Doris Savron,**  
Speaker

### EXPLORE MORE

[Our impact](/about/impact.html)[Prepare for the unpredictable](/blog/how-to-prepare-for-an-unpredictable-job-market.html)[University of Phoenix Newsletter](/blog/newsletter.html)
## Take a deeper dive with our Q&A 

The following questions were answered on Sept 18th, 2024 by Kathryn Uhles (Dean, College of Business & IT)

### If you have a degree should you be reskilling?

Today’s workforce moves rapidly, which requires employees to upskill and reskill regularly. The explosion of generative AI is a great example, requiring many employees and employers to rethink their work.

### Most jobs want years of experience even with a degree. Is this correct?

Years of experience and the degree have historically been the means by which employers validate skills. Digital credentials are a new way for employers to find talent who have validated those skills through different learning opportunities.

### I have the education but not the experience. How would you suggest I find an internship opportunities or experience.

Depending on the industry, try looking at professional organizations or non-profits where you can volunteer to gain some experience. You can also look at LinkedIn or inside your own network to see if you can find a mentor or other connections in the industry you're pursuing.

### What is your opinion about the best way to get into the field of cyber security: certificates/credentials or college?

Cybersecurity is a high demand area! Industry certifications are a great way to break into industry, but more often we hear from employers they need skills beyond the technical skills the field requires. Many employers are looking for a mix of the technical skills and durable (soft) skills so finding opportunities to showcase a combination of both is a great way to break into and stay in industry

### From an HR perspective, how can we guide and educate our senior leadership on shifting the focus away from traditional degree requirements and toward prioritizing digital credentials or skills-based hiring? What strategies can we implement to help them understand the value of this approach in meeting the evolving needs of the modern workforce and fostering a more inclusive and diverse talent pool?

University of Phoenix published a whitepaper related to this topic you may find beneficial: The Upskilling & Reskilling Imperative: Why Employee Skill Development is a Business Priority [Upskilling-Reskilling-Imperative-Study](https://www.phoenix.edu/workforce-solutions/workforce-resources/whitepapers/2024/2024-upskilling-reskilling-imperative-study.html)

## How skills-aligned learning works for you

We build programs around in-demand skills. You’ll still get[fixed, affordable tuition](https://www.phoenix.edu/tuition-financial-aid.html)for your program from the University that’s committed to career-relevant education.

[Find your program](/online-degrees.html)[Build in-demand skills](/online-degrees/skills-aligned-learning.html)
## If they can do it, so can you.

### One class at a time

> 
#### Taking one class at a time to get my degree helped me focus on the curriculum that we were doing throughout the five weeks. I can't tell you enough how much I loved the experience."

**Wendy R.**

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

### Career-relevant education

> 
#### The program helped me be a better educator, a better leader, better in time-management, and being a better advocate for myself, my patients and my staff."

**Crystal M.**

Master of Science in Nursing

## Thank you for showing interest in skills-based learning.

Please keep exploring on your own or request more information so we can assist you.

[Skill-based tools](/online-degrees/skills-aligned-learning.html)[Our career guides](/career-guides.html)[Request more information](/request-info.html)[Apply now](https://www.phoenix.edu/application/quick-app/personal-info)