Having a robust and expanding personal knowledge base can help you earn a higher income after release because you can use technology with every industry and with an unlimited number of job tasks. Having the knowledge to know how things work, how they are supposed to work, how they fit in with the industry or company you work for, can allow you to introduce AI and increase production, reduce expenses, improve efficiencies that can lead to an increased bottom line for the department or company you work for. And when you can bring increased profits to your bosses, they will (or should) pay you more!