In a rut? Invest in yourself

Has your job search run out of steam? Is your career in a rut? Do you worry that you are falling behind rather than moving forward? One of the best ways to infuse fresh energy into one’s work is to learn something new.

It was once common practice for companies to foot the bill for employees to attend conferences and seminars. Tuition reimbursement and employer-sponsored training were standard benefits of employment. Employees were reimbursed for dues to professional organizations and allowed paid time off to attend luncheons and seminars.

It made sense for companies to invest in training and development because workers would typically remain with the same organization for many years. As budgets have tightened and jobs have become more transient, employers are leery of paying for training. It is likely that workers will move on and carry their skills to the employer down the street.

While many companies still invest in employee development, it is definitely not a given. We are ultimately responsible for our own professional development. The obvious reasons for attending a conference or joining a professional organization are to grow our networks, build relationships and stay current in our professions. But it goes deeper than this.

The Apollo Research Institute, known for predicting transformative trends in the workplace, recently published a report outlining the skills that they believe will be vital for success in the next decade. The overall message is that individuals will need to learn to navigate and adapt to a rapidly changing set of job requirements and organizational landscapes.

In other words, this is not the time to rest on one’s laurels. What got us this far in our careers is not likely to take us into the next decade. According to the report, “Workers will need to continually reassess the skills they need as well as be able to quickly access the right resources to develop and update these skills.”

Katy Piotrowski, a nationally recognized career counselor, echoes this research. “Have you looked at ads in your profession lately? Chances are that when you do, there will be at least a few requirements you don’t have, or worse yet, never heard of. The world of work is evolving so fast, if you want to stay marketable, you need to keep upping your game.”

Piotrowski adds, “Many people live in a state of career fear. Will I get laid off or fired? Would I ever be able to find another job? The more out of touch you are with what is happening in your industry and profession, the more you increase your chances for being caught flat-footed if you do need to make a move. Keeping your career in tune builds confidence and increases your options.”

Not all conferences or training opportunities provide the same level of impact to our careers. Piotrowski recommends that we do our homework to confirm the value of the investment. “Before signing up, ask for references from people who have completed a training that you are considering,” she says.

Use your professional network in order to determine how the training can translate into providing more value to an employer and increasing your earning potential. Again, it is about being in tune with what is “next” and by staying on the current edge of your profession.

Unfortunately, many people are hesitant to invest in ongoing learning. One of the main reasons is that it can be costly. Piotrowski suggests offering to volunteer at a conference in order to offset participation costs. It is also a good idea to plan ahead. This allows you to save money by paying early-bird registration fees and getting the best prices on flights and hotel rooms.

Even excellent training does not have to break the bank. For example, Stanford University offers many free online classes taught by their regular faculty. These are highly interactive learning platforms as opposed to information-dump webinars. In other words, you can network with other learners even though it is a web-based program. You can also download free podcasts of lectures and training given by recognized thought leaders from a variety of disciplines.

The exact statistics vary but most of us will change careers multiple times in our lifetimes. Sometimes these are good changes such as promotions or finding a better fit in our fields. Other times “bad” change happens as in lay-offs or downsizing. In response to both good and bad situations, the goal for most of us is to remain competitive in the workplace. The Apollo Research Institute says our ability to successfully manage change requires “constant skill renewal.”

We can see what happens when people allow their skills to stagnate. Many of the long-term unemployed in our country possess expertise that is simply no longer in high demand. Sadly, far too many people just did not foresee changes in their industries and they are now struggling to find ways to plug back into the world of work.

We certainly won’t be able to stay current without making professional development a priority. Too often, we fall into the trap of thinking we “know it all.” Ironically, the smartest people in the world humbly recognize that there is always more to learn. Learning does not have to be ho-hum. Piotrowksi encourages clients to view professional development as a chance to identify and experiment with new and interesting career areas they may have never considered before.

We are living and working longer than ever. When it comes to our careers, it literally pays to remain committed to lifelong learning. Constant skill renewal will ensure that we can survive the fast changes that occur and help us sustain our careers throughout our working lives.

Carrie Pinsky is a Fort Collins-based career and HR advisor. She can be reached at carrie@pinkskywriting.com.

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