February 2008 Issue
Learning to Advance Your Career
In a highly competitive world where constantly updated and enhanced skills are
needed to succeed, the message is clear: to keep up, keep learning.
Many people struggle with changing work environments and the subsequent need to increase performance and learn new skills. All is not lost. There are some learning basics that can help everyone increase their effectiveness in absorbing new knowledge and skills.
Choose what you learn
There always seems to be too much to learn and too little time. That’s
why it is important to focus on what to learn and why to learn it. Take time
to think about what activities you want or need to do in the future. Then learn
things that will help you do them. It is easy to learn when you are interested
and motivated, so your career path should reflect some of the things that are
important to you personally, as well as professionally.
Understand your
learning style
Are you a hands-on, social learner or private and contemplative — or a
combination learner? There are many ways to learn. Think about what learning
activities have worked well for you in the past and which ones didn’t.
By understanding your learning style, you can find a way of learning that works
best for you. When the learning fits your style, it is more enjoyable and more
productive.
Develop learning skills
and strategies
Learning skills increase your understanding, retention and the rate or speed
of you absorb the subject matter. Decide what you need to do to enhance your
learning. Learn in manageable increments so that you achieve some success and
avoid the frustration that results from trying to absorb too much information
in too short a time.
Adapt to your changing future
It is important to be aware of, and responsive to, a constantly changing environment.
It is easier to learn and adapt to change if it does not take you by surprise.
Watch and prepare for change by reading, talking to others or attending events
and then thinking about what you have learned. Anticipating a change that will
affect you makes it much easier to learn the skills to adapt to it.
Make and follow a
development plan
Without a plan, the best learning intentions may never be followed through. After
you have established your preferred learning methods, you need to develop a plan
of action that will allow you to find the right venue to take advantage of them.
So, whatever, wherever and however you learn, you can do it faster and more effectively using the above basics for lifelong learning.
For more tips on career, learning and employment topics, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website at www.alis.gov.ab.ca and click on the ALIS Tip Sheets. The ALIS site is provided through a partnership of Alberta Human Resources and Employment, Alberta Education and Alberta Advanced Education.