What do you do if you're an engineering manager facing time constraints while pursuing continuing education?

The key is to plan strategically and manage your time well. By creating a well-structured programme and sticking to it religiously, one can make steady progress in continuing education without overburdening daily tasks. Prioritising and allocating specific time slots for learning can help to ensure consistent progress while retaining operational excellence.

If you really want see a progress in your continue education you need to prioritize goals. Identify which areas of learning will bring the most value to your current role and future career aspirations. Focus on courses or certifications that align with these priorities. Then create a realistic plan to execution that.

Take advantage of online and self-paced learning options that fit your schedule. Many providers now offer on-demand content. Break learning into small chunks that can be done in short bursts. 30 minutes a few times a week is better than setting aside full days you don't have. Explore microlearning, which delivers content in focused 5-10 minute sessions. Apps like Duolingo are a good example. Listen to relevant podcasts or audiobooks during your commute or while exercising. Every minute counts. Attend virtual conferences or watch recordings so you don't have to travel. Many offer flexible viewing windows.

Block dedicated learning time on your calendar and protect it like any other meeting. Find a consistent time that works with your energy levels and schedule. Reduce context switching by grouping similar types of work together. It takes time to mentally shift from learning to doing. Set boundaries with your team so they know you are unavailable at certain times, barring emergencies. Turn off notifications. Track how you actually spend your time for a week. Look for low-value activities that can be eliminated or reduced to free up learning time. Delegate or stop doing lower priority tasks. Simplify your workload as much as possible.

Have learning materials with you to take advantage of unexpected downtime - flights, waiting rooms, etc. Invest in a tablet or e-reader so you can easily access content without having to carry books or printed materials. Use apps that allow you to save articles or videos for offline viewing. Pocket and Instapaper are good options. Keep a running list of topics you want to explore so you can dive in when you have a spare moment.

As an engineering manager, your role involves balancing technical and interpersonal responsibilities, often with additional operational overhead. Pursuing further education while managing these responsibilities can be challenging, but it's worth examining whether your company offers any higher education program sponsorships or leadership certification programs. If not, you can explore external education options, starting with online courses to gauge your interest before taking on more significant commitments. It may also be beneficial to seek support from your management to pursue these educational opportunities.