What are the benefits of keeping on top of professional development?
Author: Corinne Hutchinson at TipTopJob in
Training And Development Advice
Retain and sharpen old skills
Skills that you have developed in the past that may have become slightly rusty
will be sharpened. It is always good to brush up on these skills because over
time, especially if they are not used constantly can start to fade out. For
example, writing skills that you learnt at University through writing essays may
not be used in your current role, however, revisiting this skill through essays
in your new course will allow you to retain the skill and improve on it.
Development of new skills
Professional development will allow a great deal of new skills and knowledge to
be learnt. The whole point in getting involved in further development is to
advance your abilities and grow so that you can perform more highly skilled and
demanding tasks. It allows you to build specific knowledge and competencies that
are related to your current role and can prove to be priceless when you return
to work.
Industry trends - keeping up-to-date
It is important to ensure you are up-to-date with industry trends and
developments and personal learning can ensure you are doing so. Not only can
this help you to perform your own role but also this helps the company
understand their position in the marketplace and can assist strategic
decision-making.
Fresh Perspectives
It allows you to draw upon fresh perspectives from outside your company and role
and think about new ideas and opportunities. By reflecting on these things, you
can bring creative solutions back to the company. It can help you to learn
relevant tools and best practices that can be brought to the company's strategy
and performance. New knowledge creates real-time solutions and innovative
initiatives for the company.
Networking opportunities
By going on courses, visiting industry events and other avenues to professional
development, you will meet new people and network with industry experts, leaders
and like-minded individuals. Building relationships like this can be extremely
useful for finding out about career opportunities, work related guidance,
business opportunities and insider information etc. This network can come in
handy in your current company as well as your future career.
Expand horizons and explore career opportunities
Professional development allows you to think about things and realise the
opportunities available to you. With more skills and advanced knowledge that you
will gain, you will begin to appreciate what your career prospects are and where
your path can potentially go.
Energising and renewing
Sometimes it is a good idea to take a break and refresh your mind. It can be
energising and make you feel like new. By taking time out to personally develop,
you will be taking a step away from your role to do something different. The
energy and sense of fulfilment can carry positively into your job and personal
life.
Professional development is about moving yourself to the next stage in your
learning curve, however, not only can this development be of use to you, as the
individual but it can also benefit the company you work for. Because of this,
companies should consider sending their staff on professional development
courses in order to reap the spin-off benefits.
About the Author: Corinne Hutchinson works at TipTopJob.com and is a professional marketer and career advisor working in the online recruitment industry. She has written articles and advised jobseekers on searching and applying for jobs since 2005.
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