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6 Ways to Invest in Your Career by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs In uncertain economic times, you may hesitate to spend money to advance your career. But some investments -- of money and time -- can really pay off. One of the main ways to invest in your career is through education. Dont think of it as going back to school, which sounds like you didnt get it right in the first place and doesnt feel good, said Libby Pannwitt, principal of the Work Life Design Group, in San Carlos, California. Instead, think of it as a way to broaden your knowledge. Here are three ways to invest in you career through education, plus three other career investments to consider: * Get a degree. Complete your bachelors degree or get a masters degree, MBA or even a Ph.D. Were looking at global competition, said Patti Wilson, CEO of CareerC in Silicon Valley. An advanced degree can help you get promoted or move between industries. Some people say workers in midcareer or later wont have time to recoup the cost of an advanced degree. Its a calculation that may push you toward a program that you can complete while working. But there are other factors to consider, Wilson said. An advanced degree can facilitate the move to consulting for an experienced worker, for example. * Become certified. Technical fields, project management and human resources are just some fields in which certifications can help advance a career. Certifications are generally less time-consuming and expensive than degree programs. * Learn cross-cultural communication skills. If youre working outside your native country and not speaking your native language, consider taking classes in accent reduction and American business etiquette. How do you know if you need these classes? If youre lucky, your boss will tell you. But you may simply notice that youre not getting promoted to positions that require good communication skills. For native English speakers who were raised in the United States, learning about