Continuous Learning
How to Benefit Career Growth Through On the Job Learning
We never really stop learning. Or at least we shouldn’t. Learning is the backbone of our existence and is often what makes it possible to pursue our dreams or our dream job. By learning a new technique, skill, or idea we increase our value as a person and as an employee.
So, how to go about learning something new?
First, there is on-the-job training. On-the-job training (OJT) is one way to take advantage of enhancing skills and knowledge for a current position or a promotional opportunity. OJT is formal learning while working and involves actual instruction in how to do a job either through demonstration of a specific job or through job rotation where a trainee moves through a series of positions to gain a wide breadth of experience and skills.
The benefit of OJT is that the employee receives hands-on instruction from someone knowledgeable in the field. Because we each have our own style of learning – either by seeing (visual), hearing (auditory) or doing (kinesthetic) – one-on-one learning like this can be adapted to the individual’s particular learning style.
Next there is classroom training. Another way to enhance skills and knowledge is by taking a class. This might be an internal course offered by an employer or an external course offered at a local technical school, university or extension program, or by a training organization.
The benefit of classroom training is that it removes the student from the work environment where they are open to other distractions – like doing their job. Additionally, classroom training involves a group of learners who can provide assistance to each other during the learning process.
Finally, there is individual learning. That is, something learned through self instruction – like reading a book or taking an on-line course.
The benefit of on-line learning is that it is readily accessible and can be done at the pace of the individual. As for reading, it goes hand in hand with learning because it encourages creativity, increases vocabulary and stimulates independent thought.
Here are some ideas about what to read:
· General Business. Find out what’s going on in the world. Being well rounded and well read speaks a lot about who a person is. Understanding how organizations operate, learning about current business trends and technology or finding out about new methods of doing business can give an employee an edge. And don’t forget about general news and business magazines or the business section of the Sunday paper.
· Industry Specific. When someone has an interest in a particular industry it is important to discover more about it. What are the latest trends or happenings? Consider reading trade publications and association newsletters.
· How-To. Be a better leader. Enhance communication skills. Learna new computer software program. Write a better resume and cover letter. General how-to books are always a good investment and can provide generic skills and knowledge helpful in many lines of work.
· Career Focus. Investigate a specific occupation. For any interested in a high profile career, they should find out if there is someone who has blazed a path that they might choose to follow. Reading books about another’s accomplishments can be exciting while offering a look into the road they took to find their career. Or perhaps a book that offers a general overview of a selected career can offer insight into the profession.
· General Enjoyment. Relax with a good mystery or historical novel. Reading in general is an excellent way to pass the time while exposing us to exciting new worlds. It can expand our horizons and relieve the stress of the day.
