The Importance of Professional Development
I write this just after returning from a week of travel during which I spoke at the Meals on Wheels America annual conference and Women Lead Change Corridor Connect meeting. I met and engaged with many wonderful, passionate professionals at both meetings and left feeling energized and recharged.
I always think that going to a conference or attending a webinar sounds like a great idea at the time I sign up, but when the time comes to go, I have all kinds of other things that I could/should do instead. I bring with me a list of projects a mile long to get done on the flight and in my hotel room; unfortunately, that list returns almost as long – or sometimes longer as I add great ideas to it!
But you want to – you need to – take time for professional development, whether in person or virtually, to recharge and grow in your profession. I highly recommend attending in-person programs whenever you can, even something local for a half-day or few hours. In person sessions let you network, see real people, and get away from your screen, all things that can provide you with a world of benefits well beyond the knowledge that you gain.
Some of benefits that I find from attending professional development programs and conferences include:
Learning. That should go without saying, but I find that even after doing this work for more than 35 years (!), I always learn something new when I attend a conference or webinar. If you do not pick up something, you did not try hard enough. I remember attending a grant writing class early in my career and walking away lamenting that I had learned nothing, only to realize that I learned that I knew my stuff and could do this work. That day became an important turning point in my career – and I likely picked up a few tips and tricks as well that have faded in my memory.
Thinking time. If your to do list looks like mine, I get so mired in my daily tasks that I have little time to really think about the big picture or thoughtfully plan for the future. Some of the most momentous changes in my career and business came to me while sitting in a conference session. Something the speaker said spurred a thought in my head that became the germ of an idea that later flourished.
Meet peers. Many people find development work very lonely. While you spend your day working with people, often only you do development work in your office, giving you no co-workers to bounce ideas off or commiserate when things go awry. Attending conferences or other types of professional development has given me a network of peers across my community and the country who I can call upon for questions, venting, or celebrating successes. If you don’t see a formal professional development opportunity on your horizon, call a peer and invite him or her to coffee to start your own network.
Time to recharge. While learning certainly serves as the main purpose of attending any conference or professional development opportunity, the change of scenery – even a few hours in a local convention center – can help you recharge your batteries. If you have the good fortune to attend a multi-day conference away from home, you have a chance to explore a new or favorite location and really recharge, away from the pressures of the home and office.
While many of these benefits focus on getting away from the office, you can realize many of them if you turn away from your to do list to attend a webinar – and really pay attention, not have it in the background while you continue to work. (Not that I ever do that!)
As you plan ahead, look at what professional development programs you can afford that will help move your work and career to the next level. Then put them on your calendar and in your budget and commit to making the most of them.
