The Possibilities of Professional Development
Whether you’re new to your job or you’ve been around for a while, professional development is an important part of helping you stay on track or reach the next career milestone in an ever-changing world. But, it can be challenging to find the time or the budget to devote to lifelong learning. We’ve put together some educational options you may not have considered, designed to fit any schedule or budget.
Learn from Your Peers
Do you work with an Excel guru? Is there an excellent public speaker in your office? Encourage them to share their knowledge! Have your own internal experts give a short talk to the rest of the staff on what they do best. Take advantage of available office space or in-office webinar capabilities to keep costs down.
Put On a Podcast
The ever-increasing popularity of podcasts means you’re sure to find one on just about any topic you can think of. And, with the flexibility to tune in just about anywhere, you can listen in while you’re working out or answering emails. For some suggestions on where to start, check out 3 Higher Ed Podcasts You Should Be Listening To.
Get Online
Like the idea of a conference, but don’t have time to travel? Online webinars are a great fit. NASFAA has a library of on-demand webinars on several topics, as well as live events throughout the year. With just one site license, you can invite an unlimited number of people from your office to attend. Webinars cover a variety of topics and last from 60 to 90 minutes. On the Eventbrite Blog, you’ll also find a catalog of webinars on a multitude of subjects from design to social media and everything in between.
Connect at Conferences
Look into low-cost industry conferences in your area. These conferences often feature guest speakers sharing their knowledge on a wide variety of topics that can help you grow in your career. Need some ideas? Check out our events for information on upcoming conferences.
Take a Look in a Book
If you’re looking to make the most of your downtime, try working some professional development into your reading. Whether you prefer traditional books or audio books, there are tons of free options. Try your local or campus library, or check out this list of free audio book sources from Book Riot. Find a great title? Make a list to share with your coworkers—better yet, start an office book club!
Still looking to learn more? Keep an eye on MyScholarNet.com and ScholarNet Central for all the latest on industry news, professional development ideas, and more.