Finding it Hard to Keep up in Today’s Fast Paced World?
An increasing number of professionals are now recognizing the importance of professional development. More and more people of all generations are frequently upgrading their skill set to stay up to date in their field, to remain competitive and increase their value. As an HR person myself, I find the only way to stay ahead of the game and continue to bring value to MCE, is to continue to build on my skills. While we know that Professional Development is a must, the question remains: Who does it benefit and how?
The three beneficiaries are: the organization, the employee group and the individual.
Let’s take a closer look at each:
Professional development benefits the organization in a variety of ways. An up to date workforce will: increase your talent pool, help you retain employees, maintain your organization’s image as a leader in the community and give you a competitive advantage.
Professional development benefits the employees in several ways. It makes them more proficient in their jobs, more employable, prepares them for career moves as well as opportunities for promotions within the organization.
Lastly, professional development benefits the individual - you! It increases self confidence, ensures you continue to be competent in the profession, gives you credibility and increases your value to the organization.
So what are some ways you can engage in professional development?
Reading is an excellent resource. You have already started professional development by reading the MCE HR Corner! There are also other excellent resources such as the HR Reporter, Forbes and Ted Talks, to name a few. Some excellent books to read include: WHEN by Daniel Pink, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit by Stephen Covey and Grounded: How Leaders Stay Rooted in an Uncertain World by Rob Rosen. Following Social Media such as Twitter and LinkedIn are also excellent resources for articles.
Attending conferences of joining networks is a great opportunity to meet other professionals as well as listen to excellent speakers. Attend your local HRPA's events, attend or volunteer at the Human Resources Convention in February 2019, attend the Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association in October this year, join your local Chamber of Commerce or Business Network International. You can even joining your local Rotary club to connect with other professionals and organizations
Networking and building your professional connections is also key. When those difficult questions arise or you just need someone to bounce ideas off of, you will have a network of professionals to reach out to and share information. In order to find suitable venues, reach out to your local HRPA, Chamber or look at websites such as Eventbright.
In closing, professional development is important not just for HR but for all professionals. I recommend you take some time to form your own Individual Development plan, mapping out what types of professional development interests you.
Carrie Deon
Human Resources Generalist
