How to ask your employer to invest in your career

Attending a W. P. Carey Executive Education program has the potential to reshape your career — and your organization. The W. P. Carey School of Business created this guide to help you communicate the value of professional development and request financial support from your employer. Please feel free to contact our team with any questions.

Start by conducting research

Consider the following points before you approach your employer to request funding for an Executive Education program. Doing your research ahead of time will ensure that your request includes the appropriate information, and addresses common questions for key stakeholders.

Is your employer currently in a place to afford financial assistance?
Does your company already have a reimbursement policy in place for continuing education?
Are there eligibility requirements that you need to meet as an employee, prior to receiving funding or reimbursement? (e.g., course completion, specific grade requirements)
Does your organization currently offer the category of professional development you are seeking? If not, a better case can be made to fund your development.
As a tax benefit, your employer can use up to $5,250 per year as a tax dedication (this is per employee). Check to see if your company has a written policy in place!
Are you a veteran? If so, your educational benefits may apply.

Prepare to ask your employer

Making a request to your organization to provide funding for an Executive Education program should be approached tactfully. We recommend tailoring your request to the right audience, and focusing on why your participation in the program is what’s best for the company.

Set up a meeting with your direct supervisor or HR department

As an employee seeking financial assistance from your employer, you will want to start by setting up a meeting with your direct supervisor or Human Resources department.

Review your company’s professional development allowance/funding policy to confirm if this type of program qualifies.
Prepare relevant questions ahead of time — here are some recommended examples:

What items do you need from me for consideration?
How far in advance will I need to request reimbursement?
What proof of completion will you need?

Identify your company’s Learning and Development (L&D) representative for a future meeting.

Key points to communicate to your employer

We recommend that you cover the following areas when meeting with the appropriate parties:

Provide your employer with a direct link to the program you are interested in attending, so you can review it together.
How you will be adding value to your company. Speak to your learning as an investment.
Explain the program in detail and why it is related to your position.
Discuss the company’s specific need for this training. What gaps do you see that this professional development can help you fill?
Professional development has been proven to help develop, attract, and retain talented employees that drive success! Explore talking points from Forbes on the benefits of professional development.
Why attend the W. P. Carey School of Business? Include rankings in your pitch to help communicate the quality and relevance of the program you are researching.

Contact W. P. Carey Executive Education

Transform on your terms with W. P. Carey Executive Education. Complete this form to start a conversation with our team. We look forward to connecting with you!