Learning new skills remotely can be challenging, especially in a fast-paced and competitive field like investment banking. However, with the right mindset, tools, and strategies, you can achieve your professional goals and improve your performance evaluation. Here are some of the most effective ways to learn new skills remotely as an investment banker.
Before you start learning anything new, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, why, and how. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These criteria help you define your learning objectives, track your progress, and evaluate your results. For example, instead of saying "I want to learn financial modeling", you can say "I want to complete a financial modeling course and build a valuation model for a potential merger by the end of the month".
Set SMART goals to help you acquire new skills efficiently from a distance. Be clear about the skill, provide quantifiable benchmarks, make sure it is achievable within the given limits, make sure it is in line with larger goals, and set a completion deadline. Divide the learning process into reasonable time intervals to promote an organized and responsible attitude. This approach improves motivation and clarity so that you can methodically track your development and become proficient in the desired skill.
There are many online resources available for learning new skills remotely, but not all of them are suitable for your needs and preferences. You need to consider the quality, credibility, and relevance of the content, as well as the format, duration, and feedback options. For example, if you want to learn how to use Excel for investment banking, you can look for courses, tutorials, books, or podcasts that cover the essential functions, formulas, and shortcuts. You can also check the reviews, ratings, and testimonials of other learners to see if the resource meets your expectations.
One of the best ways to reinforce your learning and test your understanding is to apply what you learn to real-world scenarios. You can look for opportunities to use your new skills in your current projects, assignments, or tasks. You can also create your own projects, challenges, or simulations to practice and improve your skills. For example, if you want to learn how to pitch a deal to a client, you can prepare a presentation, script, and Q&A session based on a hypothetical case.
Learning new skills remotely can be isolating and frustrating at times. You may encounter difficulties, doubts, or mistakes along the way. That's why you need to seek feedback and support from others who can help you overcome the obstacles and achieve your goals. You can reach out to your mentors, colleagues, managers, or instructors for guidance, advice, or feedback. You can also join online communities, forums, or groups where you can share your experiences, insights, or questions with other learners or experts.
Learning new skills remotely requires a lot of self-discipline, motivation, and consistency. You need to set a regular schedule, create a conducive environment, and eliminate distractions. You also need to monitor your performance, celebrate your achievements, and reward yourself. Moreover, you need to keep your learning goals aligned with your career aspirations, interests, and values. You can also find ways to make your learning fun, engaging, and meaningful. For example, you can gamify your learning, use multimedia tools, or collaborate with others.
Well, all points are well said but to add to these, I would say the most important factor to consider while learning a new skill remotely is distraction. To the best of my understanding and experience, if proper discipline is not maintained it will be difficult to achieve learning goals, therefore you need to keep away from everything that can cut your attention during the set learning period.
Learning new skills remotely is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. You need to keep updating your knowledge, skills, and competencies to stay relevant and competitive in the investment banking industry. You also need to seek new opportunities, challenges, and experiences that can help you grow and advance in your career. You can also reflect on your learning outcomes, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and set new goals for improvement.