A few ways to become an expert in your chosen field
Becoming an expert in your chosen field can provide numerous career benefits. It can make you more valuable to your employer, more attractive to potential employers and increase your earning potential. Being considered an expert can raise your professional status within your industry.?
While there is no one size fits all approach to becoming an expert in any field, there are some steps you can take in order to become an expert in a particular area. Learning some of the ways to become an expert can also help you to determine if you're ready to master a particular skill set.
So, before we go any further. Let’s look at what an expert is.
An expert is defined as “a person with a high level of knowledge or skill relating to a particular subject or activity”[1].
An expert is typically one of the most informed and knowledgeable people in their field. It is possible to become an expert in any field, from gardening to academia. To be considered an expert typically requires advanced and in-depth knowledge of a particular field. An expert may need to have acquired some form of recognition in their field, such as awards or certifications.
The amount of time it takes to become an expert varies greatly. While 10,000 hours is a popular figure[2], others will argue it takes far longer, while some may achieve it in less time. Ultimately, the amount of time it takes to reach expert level in a particular subject will vary greatly depending on your chosen field and your current skillset. In areas such as academia, it can take several years to reach the level of expert.
In some cases, becoming an expert may involve some inherent talent and natural ability, which is seen more often in fields such as professional sports. While in other fields it is possible to achieve expert level through hard work and sheer dedication.
How to become an expert in your chosen field
The following steps provide an outline for becoming an expert in your chosen field.
The first step to becoming an expert in your chosen field is to decide on your area of focus. Be specific. It helps if it’s a subject or activity you are passionate about as you will be more likely to enjoy the process and remain motivated. Perhaps you already work in your chosen field, or you may be looking to make a career change.
Once you have identified your area of focus, the next step is to find out what skills you need to acquire to become an expert. You may begin by conducting research online to find out exactly what it takes.
Once you know what skills and knowledge you need to acquire to become an expert, it is a good idea to create a plan. Break it down into steps. There are plenty of online courses you can take to that can help you obtain new skills.?
Start with the most important task first. Becoming an expert means achieving complete mastery, so it’s important that you master the first step before moving on. For instance, if your goal is to become an expert in website design, you may begin with learning how to master one particular kind of website before moving on.
Becoming an expert requires dedication. Set time aside each day or each week to work on developing new skills. The key to becoming an expert and achieving your goals is regular practice.
Look for opportunities to challenge yourself regularly. As a general guide, you should aim to spend about a third of your time studying and the rest of the time applying what you’ve learnt. If your goal is to become an expert in website design and you spend a third of your time completing tutorials and watching videos, then aim to spend the other two-thirds building websites.
A mentor is ideally someone who is already an expert in your chosen field or has more advanced skills than your own. A mentor can provide you with feedback on your performance and guide your development. A mentor could be a work colleague, a manager or someone in your personal or professional network. It’s wise to choose someone who genuinely cares and is invested in your professional development.
[1] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/expert
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26384712
Great article, thanks ??