Continuing Education, a good thing (be sure your professional has engaged in Continuing Professional Education).

Every professional could use a refresher here and there about their industry. Many of us graduate with our degree and then engage in “On the Job Training”. But we can’t learn everything just by doing our job. The collective knowledge, experience and wisdom of our colleagues can be invaluable in teaching us things, tips, nuances and strategies that we may not have encountered. And more importantly, by attending “Continuing Education” programs, we learn these new ideas, on our own time, not on our client’s time or at our client’s expense. It is often that I hear lawyers and other professionals groan about how much “Continuing Ed” they need to do, but we should be grateful for the opportunity. A great Continuing Education” program can move us further along on our career path and help our clients exponentially. The learning we gain, even if it is only one or two nuggets we get from any given seminar, is what makes us better at what we do. Chairing, presenting at or even simply attending “Continuing Education Programs”, is not only how we learn what other say, do and think, it also allows us to associate with our colleagues. The burning question you want to “run by” a colleague, or the nagging question about an issue that has bothered you for some time, can be discussed and related in a collegial environment. Lawyers, doctors, accountants, psychologists and all others, please do not think of continuing education as a burden. It is a benefit, and not only for us, but for our clients and our community. Knowledge is power. Let’s all get more of it.