I work and want to advance. How to choose part-time studies that will truly help
Part-time studies can be a very specific tool for professional development. It's not just about earning a diploma, but about consciously planning the next step: greater responsibility, a change of position, or entering areas such as finance, management, analytics, or projects. If you work and are considering a promotion, the key is not whether you can find time for studies, but whether you can link them to a real professional goal.
First, define the type of advancement you envision
The phrase "I want to advance" can mean several entirely different things. For one person, it might be moving from a specialist role to a coordinator. For another, it could be entering finance, controlling, HR, logistics, marketing, or analytics. Still others might want to organize their competencies to gain a stronger position within their current company.
- Do I want to advance within my current company, or rather open doors to another organization?
- Am I lacking formal knowledge, practical tools, or diploma-confirmed qualifications?
- Should my advancement be more managerial, analytical, financial, organizational, or specialized?
Match your field of study to competencies you will genuinely use
If you are employed, it's worth starting the selection of your field of study by considering your current tasks. Think about which responsibilities you want to perform better, more broadly, or more independently. A simple method works well: position — missing competency — field of study. Do not choose a field solely because it sounds prestigious. Choose one whose subjects and profile help you better address problems you already encounter at work.
- If you want to better understand budgets, costs, and reports — explore finance, accounting, controlling, or analytics.
- If you want to coordinate people and tasks — consider management, project management, or human resource management.
- If you want to develop sales, brand, or communication — check out marketing and market communication.
- If you are interested in processes, quality, transport, or operations — look into logistics, transport, production management, or process-related fields.
- If you are considering working in administration, institutions, or the regulatory sector — explore administration, law, public economy, or related fields.
Treat the cost as an investment, not just an expense.
With part-time studies, it's easy to focus solely on tuition fees. In practice, the total cost of studying also includes commuting, accommodation, meals during sessions, and time not spent on additional work. Therefore, it's worth calculating not only the semester fee but also the average monthly budget associated with your studies. The Study Cost Calculator can be a helpful tool. Include tuition, commuting costs, accommodation, and other expenses. Note the difference between the official semester fee and the estimated monthly budget – these are two different ways of looking at the cost of studies.
Check if your employer can be a partner in this decision
If your chosen field of study is related to your current job, it's worth considering a conversation with your supervisor or HR department. This doesn't necessarily mean asking for full funding right away. Sometimes, partial support, flexible scheduling, approval for attending sessions, or a discussion about how you will utilize new competencies within the company is more realistic. In the Employer Letter Generator, you can prepare a professional request for funding, a flexible schedule, or a combination of both forms of support.
Organize your week before you start, not after the first crisis
Part-time studies most often require discipline in the weeks between sessions. The most challenging aspect is not the session weekends themselves, but the regularity: returning to materials, preparing for assessments, commuting, and resting. The Candidate Planner can give you an estimate of how many hours per month sessions, commuting, and self-study might take.
- Reserve 2–3 short study blocks during weeks without sessions.
- Do not plan major personal commitments on session weekends.
- Determine in advance which Fridays or weekends may require a flexible schedule.
- Do not postpone the first conversation with your employer until a scheduling conflict arises.
7-Day Action Plan
If you want to approach this decision concretely, take these four simple steps in the coming week:
- List 3 professional roles you aspire to.
- Research 2–3 fields of study that develop the competencies needed for these roles.
- Calculate the estimated cost of studying – including commuting, accommodation, and other organizational expenses.
- Prepare a brief justification for your employer or for yourself: why you are choosing this field and how it will support your professional development.
Your next steps