Continuous Learning - Taking Care of YOUR Future

Imagine you are being interviewed for your "dream job." Everything is going well. You and the interviewer seem to have hit it off and she likes what you have to offer. And then she says, "Tell me what you’ve been doing lately to keep your skills and experiences up-to-date." 

Would you freeze and not have anything to share, or would you have to stop and think about what you’d like to talk about, selecting between the latest books you’ve been reading, the certification you just received, the classes you are enrolled in, or the out-of-your-comfort-zone workshop you experimented with? Ok, I realize it’s just an exercise, but I believe this is a situation you could find yourself in soon, regardless of whether you are currently employed or not.

As a result of the unemployment situation, the fact that everyone is trying to do more with less, and the incredibly fast pace at which the global marketplace continues to change, businesses are spending more time studying their current workforce capabilities and comparing them to their future needs. In HR, we call this Workforce Planning. The results of these plans influence the employment decisions made about who to hire and who to retain. They are looking for those talented and motivated individuals who can take them to the next level. Every business needs workers who:

• are utilizing up-to-date skills, knowledge, and technologies
• use new information and best practices to bring about creativity, innovation and cost savings
• enjoy learning and experimenting with new technologies and methodologies
• are challenging themselves to read and explore new concepts and ideas
• use their internal and external networks to share problems and ideas for improving processes, products and services

Previous contributions and commitments will continue to be acknowledged and honored, but the future is where the business and its employees need to focus their attentions.

Avoid Becoming Dead Wood

Today it really doesn’t matter what your job is. The people you associate with, the equipment and technologies you utilize, the procedures and processes you follow, and in some cases, the standards by which your performance is measured are all changing. Experts looking into the future don’t see a reason that this change scenario would stop. They predict it’s just going to keep changing faster. So what does that mean for all of us? The next logical step is to keep learning something if you want to keep working and avoid becoming "dead wood." Most organizations cut out dead wood during the recession, but new crops can always sprout up… you don’t want to be in that garden!

Based on the reactions I observe to the notion of continuous learning when I am engaged in coaching or career transition sessions, I have concluded that how a person gets from Point A to Point B depends a lot on age and outlook. Here’s what I usually hear:

• "I just graduated. I don’t want to go back to the classroom or read another not-for-fun book!"
• "I’ve been working in this field for years. I know all there is to know about this subject."
• "I’m too busy with my personal life to give up time to learn a new language, or skill, or hobby, or whatever."
• "My employer doesn’t have a tuition reimbursement program – I’d have to pay for the classes myself!"
• "I don’t get reimbursed for association memberships."

Yes, there are a lot of excuses, but the key to remember is that we all make choices about career and professional development management. What you do now can help you tomorrow, or five years down the road. Education and new skills can never be taken away. Those experiences prepare you for the tomorrow that’s right around the corner. It’s never too late to create a mindset and desire for learning. In fact, most of our medical professionals are now recommending that in order to better manage our physical and mental health, we keep our brains engaged in some new activities everyday.

I’m not suggesting everyone go out and get an advanced degree; although for the record, I do believe there is value in holding a 4-year degree, regardless of whether you use it immediately or not. And, if you hold a bachelor’s, I believe taking advanced coursework or working towards a master’s in some area of interest can be very beneficial to your future employability. I strongly recommend that everyone have a plan that demonstrates credible actions and commitment to continuous learning and a desire to work towards their "dream job." Strategies will vary, and they don’t have to be complicated. They could easily include ideas such as these:

• Join and participate in associations that support your interest.
• Attend lectures, seminars and webinars on interesting topics (some of these may be offered without a fee).
• Write articles, papers, blog comments, and books to share your ideas and thoughts.
• Volunteer to work on a project to learn a new skill or gain a new experience.
• Take a workshop or class that is out of your "comfort zone" (could be work related or just for fun).
• Read job-related books and journals and present your reaction at a brown bag, or through a blog.
• Travel to a place you’ve never been before to experience the culture, food, people, history.
• Complete a certification recognized by your industry, i.e., PMP, SPHR, CPA, PE, IAAP, etc.

Get Started

Competition for jobs will continue to grow. Many individuals who have been downsized have gone back to school and are re-tooling themselves with new degrees, skills, certifications, and work experiences. They are preparing for the changes the workplace is facing. Some individuals fortunate enough to hold on to their jobs have seen the writing on the wall and are no longer waiting for their company to offer them training, but are seeking the training, development and coaching on their own to expand and build on the skills and experiences they already are bringing to the table.

The beauty of continuous learning is that you don’t have to do it all at one time. Start out with a workshop, or a class, or a book. Network within associations and get ideas about ways to expand your skill base. Build up to a degree program, a certification goal or an entirely new career. The important step is to have a plan and do something. If you are fortunate enough to be working with a company that offers some tuition reimbursement – take advantage of it! If you don’t have access to financial or time-off assistance, bite the bullet and do it on your own. You’ll be glad you did.

My question is - "What do you think about learning and future employability… Is it necessary to do anything at all?" Thanks for taking the time to share.

Q&A

I'm interested in reading some management books to help me with my new role as a supervisor and leader.  Do you have any suggestions?
- Nancy

Check out Dear Jobseeker for my answer to Nancy's question.