What do you do if you want to explore career paths and opportunities in FM through continuing education?

1 Assess your current situation

Before you enroll in any course or program, you need to have a clear idea of where you are and where you want to go in your FM career. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your interests and passions? What are the gaps in your knowledge or skills? What are the requirements or expectations of your current or desired role? How do you learn best? What is your budget and availability? These are some of the questions you should ask yourself to determine your learning objectives and preferences.

2 Explore the available options

Once you have a better understanding of your needs and goals, you can start looking for the most suitable continuing education options for you. There are many sources of information and guidance, such as your employer, your professional network, your industry association, or online platforms. You can also do your own research and compare different types of courses and programs, such as online or offline, formal or informal, short or long, accredited or non-accredited, general or specialized, etc. You should consider the quality, relevance, flexibility, and affordability of each option, as well as the feedback and reviews from other learners.

3 Choose the best fit for you

After you have narrowed down your options, you need to make a final decision based on your criteria and priorities. You should also check the admission requirements, the application process, the curriculum, the instructors, the assessment methods, and the certification or recognition of the course or program you are interested in. You should also make sure that you have the time, motivation, and resources to complete it successfully. If you are unsure or have any questions, you can contact the course or program provider or seek advice from someone who has taken it before.

4 Plan your learning journey

Once you have enrolled in the course or program of your choice, you need to plan how you will manage your learning journey. You should set realistic and specific goals, create a schedule and a routine, allocate enough time and space for study, use the available resources and support, track your progress and achievements, and celebrate your milestones. You should also be flexible and adaptable to any changes or challenges that may arise along the way. Most importantly, you should enjoy the learning process and have fun.

5 Apply your learning to practice

The ultimate purpose of continuing education is to improve your performance and outcomes in your FM career. Therefore, you should always look for ways to apply what you have learned to your daily work or projects. You should also seek feedback and evaluation from your managers, colleagues, clients, or mentors on how you can further improve your skills and knowledge. You should also update your resume, portfolio, or profile with your new qualifications or achievements. And don't forget to share your learning experience and insights with others in your FM community.

6 Keep learning and growing

Continuing education is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. As the FM field evolves and changes, so should you. You should always be curious and open to new ideas and opportunities. You should also regularly review your career goals and learning needs, and adjust your plans accordingly. You should also take advantage of the various sources of learning and development in your FM environment, such as on-the-job training, mentoring, coaching, webinars, podcasts, blogs, books, etc. By keeping learning and growing, you will stay relevant, competitive, and fulfilled in your FM career.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?