How can you identify continuing education opportunities to support your Career Development goals?

Success in identifying continuing education opportunities lies in the strategic combination of sources, including staying updated with the industry, exploring online platforms, engaging with professional associations, leveraging internal employer resources, and seeking guidance from mentors and colleagues.

Avaliar as suas necessidades e lacunas, passa pelo autoconhecimento e reconhecer as suas fraquezas é um exercício que requer humildade. Propor a si um objetivo e não desperdiçar tempo em cursos que não agregar valor a suas pretensões é o caminho a seguir.

I love to get help from real people about what my needs and gaps are learning. First, I would host a listening tour where I connect with people I currently work with to understand any skill gaps or areas of improvement. Next, I would consider where and how I want to grow my career by interviewing people about careers I'm interested in. What skills do they use in their day-to-day? What skills help them be better at their career? What resources did they use that helped them get their job? Are there universal skills (like AI) that anyone can benefit from? From there, I would create a list of these needs that I can fill.

Assessing your needs and gaps is an essential step in identifying education opportunities. To do this effectively, your can consider these steps: Define Your Goals: Clearly articulate your career aspirations (roles, skills, etc.) Evaluate Your Current Skills: Assess your strengths and weaknesses in relation to your desired career path Stay updated on the latest trends and emerging technologies in your field. Identify skills that are highly valued by employers and that will be in demand in the future Seek Feedback: Consult with mentors or industry experts Evaluate Education Options: Research various continuing education options, such as online courses, workshops, certifications, mentoring or degree programs, that align with your needs

You can identify continuing education opportunities to support your career development goals by: 1. Researching professional associations and organizations in your field that offer relevant courses or certifications. 2. Exploring online platforms and websites that provide a wide range of educational resources, such as Udemy, Coursera, or LinkedIn Learning. 3. Networking with professionals in your industry to gather information about workshops, conferences, or seminars that offer valuable learning opportunities. 4. Consulting with your employer or HR department to inquire about any available training programs or tuition reimbursement options.

A great way to research options is to connect with people who are 5 - 10 years ahead of you in your career. You can see what skills and experiences they have (bonus if you talk with them and network) and then determine what to focus on for continuing education. I've known clients to gain great insights on conferences, online trainings, and courses from these conversations.

Before you dive into paying for a program, engage with as much free content as possible! First, there is a lot of free content that you can learn a lot from, like YouTube, TikTok, Reels, podcasts, and more. Once you're committed to learning, then consider paid options! And see if any of these paid options offer scholarships, etc. I received a masters degree for free because I worked at the university at the time. It helped me expand my skills without taking on debt!

In order to assess your areas of growth/skill gap, it's useful to reflect on your career goal. If you are unclear of your career goals yet, you can consider taking tests such as Career Leader or Clifton Strengths Assessments to get a deeper insight to inform your choices. Once you have clarity on your goals, explore networking with professionals within your desired career trajectory to understand skills/competencies that you should build. You can also attend conferences and workshops to stay updated on industry trends. If you currently do not have technical skills that are required for your goal, you can consider micro-credentials on platforms such as LinkedIn learning, Coursera or Udemy.

Acredito que educação continuada deve ter um requisito principal, que é atender as suas expectativas em relação aos objetivos propostos por ti mesmo.

A avaliação de resultados e benefícios das suas escolhas quando se trata de carreira, deve ser elaborada por um externo, pois não tem como o dono da carreira avaliar sendo ele mesmo o construtor. A possibilidade de maquiar resultados ruins em beneficio próprio aumenta em 100%.

Proactively schedule a performance feedback and development meeting with your manager to discuss and identify recommended areas for your continued professional development at the company. Your manager may be able to recommend specific resources / programs available to you through the company or externally. Speaking with other professionals in your field in roles you aspire to via coffee chats to learn what resources they have used/recommend for continuing ed is of value as well. Whether or not your employer pays for continuing ed options or not, think of it as an investment in YOU and your career development; after all, your career is in YOUR hands. :)

One thing I've found helpful is to set aside dedicated time each month or quarter to review and update my career development plan. This ensures that I stay focused & make necessary adjustments. Actually, I disagree with the idea that career development plans should be static. It's important to be flexible and open to change. Sometimes unexpected opportunities or shifts in goals may require updating the plan to align with new aspirations. An example I've seen is when a friend initially had a career development plan focused on one industry. However, as they gained more experience & explored different areas, their interests evolved. They decided to update their plan to include new industries & skill sets that aligned with changing passions.

The key is being an active participant in the process. Don’t look for resources to find you. Assess where you need to develop, look for opportunities, take advantage of the opportunity, reassess where you are with relation to your development and then repeat. Most importantly, remember that career development is not a destination. You will never reach a point where you no longer have a need for growth, so act accordingly. Make sure your plans allow for “wins” to feed you along the journey and rest periods to recharge.

As a coach, reflective practice is part of my daily routine, and a lessons-learned journal is one of the best ways to maximise your potential by recording what you learn from your everyday experiences. By reflecting on your experiences, you can track and gain insights into what you need to do to improve and grow. By reflecting on your successes and areas for improvement, you can avoid repeating past mistakes, find clarity, take full advantage of opportunities for growth and development and develop SMART goals to address them. Reflecting also helps you to stay accountable and make adjustments where necessary.

One thing I've found helpful when it comes to sharing examples or stories is to relate them to personal experiences. It adds a touch of authenticity & makes the information more relatable. Actually, I disagree with the notion that there's only one right way to approach a certain situation. Different perspectives & approaches can lead to equally valuable outcomes. It's important to embrace diverse viewpoints and be open to new ideas. An example I've seen is when a team was working on a project & had different opinions on the best approach. Instead of sticking to one viewpoint, they encouraged open discussions & considered multiple options. This allowed them to combine the strengths of different ideas & come up with an innovative solution.