Learn how to use online learning and networking opportunities to create a career development plan. Find tips and strategies to choose quality courses and platforms, engage in communities, and build relationships.

Platform selection is important, but increasingly many platforms share similar features. Make sure you get "deep" into the admin experience to know how to best configure and utilize various features. Zoom for instance is typically used for small meetings with chat and screen share being the limits of features. Yet it can do SO MUCH MORE! Work with your vendor's customer success team or community help center. Also, get inspired by others and learn how they are using platforms in perhaps clever or inventive ways.

How do you leverage online learning and networking opportunities for career development?

Online learning and networking are two powerful ways to advance your career and achieve your professional goals. But how do you make the most of these opportunities and use them to create a career development plan? In this article, we will share some tips and strategies to help you leverage online learning and networking for career development.

1 Identify your learning needs and goals

The first step to leverage online learning is to identify your learning needs and goals. What skills, knowledge, or credentials do you want to acquire or improve? How do they align with your career aspirations and interests? How will they benefit you in your current or future roles? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to learn, you can search for online courses, programs, or certifications that match your criteria and budget.

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2 Choose quality and relevant online courses

The second step to leverage online learning is to choose quality and relevant online courses. There are many online learning platforms and providers that offer a variety of courses, from free to paid, from self-paced to instructor-led, from general to specialized. To choose the best online courses for your career development, you should consider factors such as the course content, the instructor's credentials, the learner feedback, the learning outcomes, the accreditation, and the recognition. You should also check the course requirements, the time commitment, the assessment methods, and the support services.

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Nicholas S. Stewart MBA CSSC

Is Achieving Peak Productivity and Home Engagement on Your Wish List? ™Sleep Fitness! - a blend of 🧬 Modern Science mixed with Ancient Wisdom & 🚀 Cutting-Edge Innovation integrated with Tactical Symbolic Mythology
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I think this is a common step users make a mistake with. Once we've identified our niche or work topic we end up consuming too many companies to follow, too many thought leaders on the topic ('ve been guilty of this), and all together lead to OVER paying or registering for online programs because at first they appear all so helpful, but in the end we can't really manage the many sites we approach. Start with one, stick with it for a few weeks, and if need be switch online course providers for a better fit on a professional level.

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3 Engage in online learning communities

The third step to leverage online learning is to engage in online learning communities. Online learning communities are groups of learners who interact, collaborate, and support each other through online platforms, such as forums, social media, or chat groups. Engaging in online learning communities can help you enhance your learning experience, expand your network, exchange ideas, ask questions, share resources, and receive feedback. You can join existing online learning communities related to your course or topic, or create your own with your peers or mentors.

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4 Identify your networking goals and target audience

The fourth step to leverage online networking is to identify your networking goals and target audience. What do you want to achieve through networking? Do you want to find new opportunities, learn from experts, seek advice, or build relationships? Who are the people you want to connect with? Are they potential employers, clients, partners, mentors, or peers? How can you add value to them and vice versa? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and who you want to reach, you can plan your networking strategy and tactics.

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5 Choose appropriate and effective online networking platforms

The fifth step to leverage online networking is to choose appropriate and effective online networking platforms. There are many online networking platforms and tools that can help you connect with other professionals, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Clubhouse. To choose the best online networking platforms for your career development, you should consider factors such as the platform's purpose, audience, features, etiquette, and best practices. You should also optimize your profile, create engaging content, follow relevant hashtags, join relevant groups, and participate in relevant events.

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Ben Brooks

Founder & CEO, PILOT | Let’s Elevate Your Employee Development Together | Empowering Your Staff Through a Balanced, Innovative, Engaging, Metrics-Driven Program for Talent Development, DEI, and Retention
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Platform selection is important, but increasingly many platforms share similar features. Make sure you get "deep" into the admin experience to know how to best configure and utilize various features. Zoom for instance is typically used for small meetings with chat and screen share being the limits of features. Yet it can do SO MUCH MORE! Work with your vendor's customer success team or community help center. Also, get inspired by others and learn how they are using platforms in perhaps clever or inventive ways.

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6 Follow up and maintain online networking relationships

The sixth step to leverage online networking is to follow up and maintain online networking relationships. Online networking is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of building trust, rapport, and value. To follow up and maintain online networking relationships, you should communicate regularly, provide feedback, offer help, share information, acknowledge achievements, celebrate milestones, and express gratitude. You should also track your networking activities, measure your results, and adjust your strategy as needed.

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Kelly Graves

Director of Attorney Advancement, Cahill | Talent Management Leader | Former Federal Prosecutor
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Online networking tools are also an efficient way to keep in touch with your in-real-life networks. I’ve seen many professional get intimidated by the word “networking” — do I have to go to a dinner every night? Do I have to join a board or committee that will cut into my personal time? Where do I start? But networking is really just a form of building and maintaining relationships, and online platforms make it easy to keep in touch and stay top-of-mind with a click of a button. Next time you see an article that makes you think of a former colleague, share it. If you see an insightful post by that person you met at a conference, drop a quick comment. Start small, and it will be easier to fit networking into your regular routine.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you leverage online learning and networking opportunities for career development?

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1 Identify your learning needs and goals

2 Choose quality and relevant online courses

3 Engage in online learning communities

4 Identify your networking goals and target audience

5 Choose appropriate and effective online networking platforms

6 Follow up and maintain online networking relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Training & Development

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How do you leverage online learning and networking opportunities for career development?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your learning needs and goals

2 Choose quality and relevant online courses

3 Engage in online learning communities

4 Identify your networking goals and target audience

5 Choose appropriate and effective online networking platforms

6 Follow up and maintain online networking relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Training & Development

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