The Two Roads to Career Growth: Get Trained or Train Yourself

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
— Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

There’s a beautiful paradox in the words of Jesus here. He invites us to learn from Him—not just to acquire knowledge, but to take on His yoke, to walk beside Him, and to learn by doing life with Him. That invitation captures the heart of what real learning is: not simply instruction, but immersion; not just a classroom, but a calling.

Let me take you back to a memory that changed how I view growth.

Learning the Hard Way: A Short Story

One of my mentees told me about his first job interview. Let’s call him Biola. Fresh out of school, he had a polished CV, a decent suit, and the naive confidence of someone who thought he was ready for anything. The interviewer leaned back in his chair and asked him a simple question:

“So what can you do for us?”

Biola froze.

He had no real work experience, no portfolio, and no compelling story. He talked about his degree and his passion. The interviewer nodded politely and said, “We’ll be in touch.” That was the end.

It wasn’t until months later—after volunteering at a small business, watching YouTube tutorials at 2 a.m., and working for free just to gain experience—that Biola finally understood what the interviewer meant.

Employers aren’t hiring potential. They’re hiring proof. And whether you get trained by a company or train yourself, one truth remains: you have to be worth the investment.

Not sure how to grow your career? There are two roads: get trained or train yourself. Both are valid—but neither works without commitment. 👉 Discover which path is right for you. Share on X

Two Roads Diverged: Which One Will You Take?

In today’s world, there are two primary paths to becoming employable—and both require intentionality. One isn’t better than the other; they’re just different journeys. The key is to know where you are and what you need.

Path One: Get Trained

Some companies—usually large, well-resourced organizations—offer structured training programs. Think graduate schemes, corporate onboarding, or internal academies. These employers are willing to invest in developing new talent from scratch.

Sounds great, right?

It is—if you can get in. These programs are competitive. They’re looking for candidates who already show signs of promise: not necessarily perfect skills, but clear trainability. And there’s a tradeoff. When someone invests in you, they expect a return. This often means:

• Signing contracts that limit your mobility
• Working long hours with steep learning curves
• Delivering far more value than you’re paid for—at least initially

It’s not unfair. It’s just business.

And to be honest, if a company is willing to take a chance on you, the least you can do is show up hungry to grow. The Bible says, “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). When you are given training, mentorship, and access—you are also entrusted with stewardship.

But what if that door doesn’t open? Or what if you’re not sure it’s the right fit?

That brings us to the second road.

Biola thought he was ready for his first job… until the interview started. Learn from his story—and how he turned rejection into growth. Share on X

Path Two: Train Yourself

If no one’s willing to bet on you yet, you bet on yourself.

This is the path of self-education. It’s less glamorous, more demanding, and often filled with uncertainty—but it can be just as powerful. The world is full of resources: books, online courses, YouTube, podcasts, communities, mentors, and practical experiences that cost little or nothing.

But let’s be real: self-education isn’t for the lazy or entitled. You have to be proactive. You have to fight the urge to compare your behind-the-scenes with someone else’s highlight reel. You have to wake up early or stay up late, take feedback seriously, and embrace discomfort.

This road also includes the partnership model—an echo of the apprenticeship systems of old. In biblical times, young people learned by serving under a master. Think of Elisha following Elijah. Or Timothy traveling with Paul. The learning didn’t come from a textbook. It came from doing life alongside someone who’d walked the path before.

Sometimes these apprenticeships required money. Often they required humility. You weren’t being paid for your skills—you were paying for access. But over time, as you proved faithful, your competence grew. And eventually, so did your influence.

Proverbs 13:20 puts it like this: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Who you learn from matters. And how you approach that learning—with humility, service, and diligence—makes all the difference.

Waiting to be picked? You don’t have to. If no one will invest in you yet, invest in yourself. 💡 Read this if you’re ready to grow on your own terms. Share on X

Choose Your Hard

Now let’s get practical.

Neither of these paths is easy. One demands performance under pressure. The other demands persistence with little applause. You will sweat, stretch, and sacrifice on either road.

But the question is not, “Which road is easier?” It’s, “Which road is right for me right now?”

Let’s break it down.

Criteria	Get Trained	Train Yourself
Structure	High	Low
Cost to You	Lower upfront, higher in time commitment	Higher upfront (time, money, energy)
Support	Built-in mentors, peers, feedback	Must seek mentors, build accountability
Freedom	Limited (bound by contract or program)	High (you set your own pace)
Barrier to Entry	Competitive	Accessible to all
Speed	Faster if accepted	Slower but flexible

Neither is perfect. Both are valid. But you must commit. Wandering between both—waiting for an opportunity while doing nothing—gets you nowhere.

So how do you commit?

Self-education is hard. So is corporate training. You don’t get to choose an easy path, but you can choose the path that’s best for you. See how to thrive on either path. Share on X

Practical Steps to Grow on Your Chosen Path

Whichever path you choose, here’s how to walk it with wisdom and intention.

1. Clarify Your End Goal

Where do you want to be in six months? One year? What specific role, skill, or opportunity are you aiming for? Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” You need clarity to fuel consistency.

2. Count the Cost

Jesus said, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost…?” (Luke 14:28). Before you commit, evaluate what it will demand: money, time, energy, and even your comfort zone.

3. Find Your Community

Learning doesn’t happen in isolation. Whether you’re part of a company or learning solo, seek out mentors, peers, or online communities. Ask questions. Offer value. Be visible and humble.

4. Track Your Progress

Document what you’re learning. Build a portfolio. Reflect regularly. Keep a journal, blog, or some other record of your growth. This is your “proof of value” when opportunity knocks.

5. Serve to Learn

Look for ways to use your growing skills—even if you’re not paid at first. Volunteer. Intern. Solve real problems for real people. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Greatness starts with service.

When It Feels Like You’re Behind

Let me speak directly to your heart for a moment.

Maybe you feel like everyone else is ahead. Maybe you applied to 50 jobs and heard nothing back. Maybe you’ve started online courses and never finished them. Maybe you’re wondering if this journey is worth it.

It is.

God is not in a hurry. He’s in the business of shaping character, not just careers. What feels like delay is often divine preparation. David was anointed king as a teenager—but he didn’t sit on the throne for years. In the meantime, he fought lions, served Saul, and learned to lead in obscurity.

If you’re in the shadows now, take heart. That’s often where God does His deepest work.

Feel like you’re falling behind? You’re not. You’re being prepared. This message will remind you why the wait is worth it. Share on X

Commit to Your Growth

Let’s bring it all together.

There are two roads to growth: one where you are trained, and one where you train yourself. Both require courage. Both require commitment. Both require humility.

But whichever path you choose, don’t stay idle. Don’t wait for someone to hand you permission to grow. God has already given you the invitation.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”
— Ecclesiastes 9:10

So here’s your challenge:

• Pick your learning path.
• Count the cost.
• Commit to the process.
• Serve with joy.
• Learn with purpose.
• Grow with God.

And remember, you don’t walk this road alone.

You walk with the One who said, “Take my yoke upon you… and you will find rest for your souls.”

Now go, and grow.