8 Tips on Education and Professional Development in the Digital Age

(5-7 minute read)

Leaders who are most informed, make the most educated decisions, and gain (sometimes substantially) an advantage on their competition. Think of all the direct and indirect benefits of education as it relates to your decision making and overall professional development, but also think of how people in this digital age are consuming massive amounts of information, outside of the classroom, and at almost zero expense! Here are 8 tips on how you can educate yourself quickly, and catapult your professional development in 2020.

Podcasts – ITunes, Stitcher, Spotify, you name it, there are a ton of applications that host podcasts. It’s the modern-day radio where listeners are equipped with a search bar where literally ANYTHING can be found. Podcasts can range from 30min to 3hrs! (I personally recommend digesting 30-40min max of information at a time, depending on the type of content you're consuming). The Joe Rogan Experience Podcast is one of my favorites. JRE is a long-form podcast, but he really dives deep into topics with his guests that requires that amount of attention and investigation. The Tim Ferris Show was the very first podcast I ever listened to. Tim interviews world-class performers from eclectic areas (investing, sports, business, art, etc.) to extract the tactics, tools, and routines they use to help make them successful. This includes favorite books, morning routines, exercise habits, time-management tricks, and much more.

If you can garner the interest of experts around you and host your own podcast, I highly encourage that as well. Our Energy Sense Podcast for example is a monthly podcast that lasts 30 minutes where we interview subject matter experts in the world of energy efficiency. This can be done at a somewhat minimal expense, usually around $200-300 per month for the 30min duration. Expand your knowledge across many topics in general or dive deep into technical specifics. The search bar is yours.

Reputable Online Education – The world wide web can be a wonderful thing right?! The first step is to make sure you’re engaging with a reputable company, institution, or information source. MIT OpenCourseWare, for example, is free and open material from every single degree program offered at MIT. You can literally go to an Ivy League College for FREE! (Just don’t expect a degree or certificate upon graduation.) Many manufacturers, service providers, industry associations, and more offer free webinars and training through their websites, YouTube channels, or other mediums. You can also follow their blogs or download white papers applicable to what you’re researching and stay engaged through open comments and responses to their work.

"Networking" – I use this term in quotations as some quiver at the thought of the word, but hear me out. Don’t just join your local rotary club or attend a networking event once a month expecting to gain any value. The best way to become educated about your profession is to surround yourself with the professionals you admire, and most of all LISTEN. Find an industry specific association, become involved on a committee, and immerse yourself in the environment. Join 1-3 associations per year, depending on the volume of commitment to each one, but don't spread yourself too thin. Make it a point to take an active roll in the group and the community around you. Most associations have events where they partner with local big business, give back through volunteering or workshops, and mentor others. You don't have to be an extrovert and talk to everyone, but you do need to make yourself known.

Social Media - My personal preference is LinkedIN, followed by Twitter. Both of these platforms provide the opportunity to engage directly with experts from all over the world. Just remember to be short, simple, and to the point when reaching out. Everyone’s time is valuable, especially when engaging strangers without a warm introduction. The LIVE feature also creates a platform for immediate engagement and hosting discussions. When time permits, follow and comment on blog posts or post in groups you like. Consistency and genuine communication are key. Don't "sell", but rather aim to create relationships and try to provide VALUE.

Training – Training can come in all different forms. Pre-recorded webinars, live video, roundtables, OJT, you name it. Employees within an organization often times have trouble naturally training one another, or maybe don't quite understand their options for accomplishing this. Always foster an environment that promotes cross-functional training, collaboration, and internal education. It’s important to have a general understanding of the business units that interact with your team or a general knowledge of the suppliers or vendors that support your business daily, while also managing your "bandwidth". The most important part of developing a training program is to really tailor it to yourself (and your people) and align the content with the specific goals you wish to achieve.

Remember training is always on-going and changes happen rapidly in business. If you're a business owner looking to develop a training program for your employees, I may recommend engaging a consultant such as GothamCulture, who "helps their clients achieve exceptional organizational performance through the lens of culture, leadership, and people strategy."

Professional Certifications – Not only do professional certifications provide job stability, but the act of taking on a challenge and completing it will no doubt boost your confidence. Find the most widely accepted industry certification in your field. You can start by searching which ones are required by large companies or the government for job placement or contract awards, or simply ask your superiors which ones they recommend. More importantly when you finish go out and APPLY what you learned. Certification is just the beginning. *Minimal expenses may be required, or reimbursed by your employer*

Audio Books – If you’re like me, it’s hard to find time these days to pick up a book and read (or it's simply a preference). Almost every author is releasing an audio version of their book these days and most are narrated by the authors themselves which is enjoyable. Similar to podcasts, it’s easy to digest during a long commute in the car, in the air, or on the train. I often write down book recommendations I hear from my favorite podcast hosts and search them on Amazon Audible. Remember to stay diverse and not get caught in an echo chamber of the same views. I recommend a similar approach as it has really opened my eyes to other topics and ideas. Some of my favorite recent "listens" are A Guide to the Good Life by William Irvine, The Like Switch by Jack Schafer, Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK by Mark Manson. *Amazon Audible Rates start at $15 per month now, but other options are available.*

Internships / Volunteer - Some, if not most, will turn their nose up to this one, but I have seen it work. Once you have figured out a game plan on what you want to try next, call up everyone you admire and ask for an internship or a way to participate in projects they have going on. If you get pushed away, most likely you're being tested and they want to see if you're easily discouraged. The amount of valuable information you could potentially get by shadowing a "guru", could really be life changing. Remember this could also be part-time where you're performing research or doing remote work. Gain applicable knowledge quickly and even build a project portfolio that showcases the practical application of what you have learned. Most importantly, do not put yourself in financial hardship or follow a fake. Research for references and be completely self aware of the situation you're in.

In closing.... I'm sure some of you can imagine the days of no internet or cell phones. People learned through trial and error, and from their peers willing to share ideas and skillsets. We should maintain the level of innovation and collaboration needed from the past, while leveraging the current digital age to consume information and content in the most efficient manner. The processes by which we consume information will only get faster and more abundant with the rapid advancements in technology, but ALWAYS remember to not let your devices or work consume you. Maintain a healthy work life balance and be present with those around you, especially your loved ones. Educating yourself and developing professionally is important, but the impact you have on other peoples lives is what will create your legacy long after you're gone.