Life-Long Learning and Career Advancement

You may not believe it, but it wasn’t until high school that I heard the term “lifelong learner,” and not until college that I understood what was meant by it. I always knew you received some professional training upon starting a new career, but it hadn’t crossed my mind that you could independently go out and find new opportunities for education and growth. However, contrary to the belief of 16-year-old me, professional development and the practice of being a life-long learner go hand in hand.

What do I mean by “life-long learner,” you may ask. It’s a valid question. The impression it gives off is of a person who is always in school, who never really left the academic environment, and this is somewhat accurate from a certain point of view. Being a life-long learner means voluntarily pursuing new avenues of knowledge and growth, either for professional or personal edification. Life-long learners enroll in classes at their local senior centers or recreational groups. They teach themselves skills through reading, videos, and practice. They pursue knowledge and self-improvement because they want to be better than themselves.

This practice of being a life-long learner can be melded beautifully with your professional development. If you want to excel in any particular field, it is essential that you pursue opportunities to grow your knowledge of that field. An article about the subject (link here) points out that “Just as you exercise physically on a regular basis to remain fit and healthy, you must exercise mentally on a daily basis to become better and better and commit to lifelong learning in your chosen field.” Like anything, being a life-long learner means being disciplined enough to continue pursuing and practicing your chosen craft.

So what is the point of all this? Why do I bring this up? When thinking about career advancement, one of the best things you can do for yourself both in your current role and to prepare for future ones is to pursue opportunities to make yourself better. This will help you stand out, not only as an impressive employee, but as someone committed to working at improving themselves and their skills. It will help you move forward in your career, and it will help you feel good about yourself and your accomplishments regardless.

If you’re thinking of applying your skill set to a whole different area, or hoping to find opportunities you haven’t previously considered for your career, email us at info@careersolutionsgroup.net. We have helped hundreds of job changers take the next step in their career search. And consider stopping by our job support page for more information on our services.

By: Julia Pillard, Career Solutions Group