Are you a lifelong learner? Are you finding new opportunities to learn? Find out with this online quiz. Then take charge of your own learning at work.
We keep learning as long as we are alive. As children, we learned how to walk and talk. As adults, we learned how to prepare food or drive a car. We learned to do the work we are now doing. There are many reasons to learn. As we look at pursuing a new occupation, we will have to learn new skills. It’s all part of lifelong learning. Even if we aren’t actively planning our careers, we are still learning. We are still making decisions and having experiences that enrich and enhance who we are.
Lifelong learning is one of the best investments you can make in yourself and your career. So why not invest in yourself by learning on the job?
Here are some signs that you’re learning at work:
- You always try to improve how you do your job.
- You regularly ask for feedback.
- You choose your own training activities.
- You look for training opportunities.
Managing your own learning activities and goals and upgrading your skills can help you earn more money and qualify for promotions. It can also make it easier to find better jobs.
Be proactive. Many workplaces invest in their employees’ training and development. Check regularly with your supervisor or human resources department to make sure you know about all the opportunities that may be open to you.
Be creative. In the past, supervisors decided who would be trained or given special project work. Organizations often took responsibility for training and course work. These days, fewer employers provide funding for training and career development. However, they still consider lifelong learning and training to be important. As a result, workers who want to succeed must learn to be career self-reliant. If your workplace doesn’t offer formal learning opportunities, you can take advantage of other ways to learn on the job. For example, depending on your work, you may be able to:
- Read industry newsletters or magazines
- Teach yourself to do more with the software you have
- Ask for increasing responsibilities
- Ask co-workers about their jobs
Be independent. If you have the time and money, enrol in a course or workshop outside of working hours. Choose a course where you can learn a skill that will help you in your current job or make it easier to get promoted.
Take the work and learning quiz
These suggestions are meant to help you:
- Track your learning and development activities.
- Assess how effective you are at leading your own learning.
- Think about ways to learn more, on and off the job.
Check the statements that best reflect how you learn at work:
Be responsible for your learning at work
By taking advantage of formal and informal learning opportunities, you can increase your value as an employee, renew your interest in your work and open up new directions for your career. Ultimately, by leading your own learning, you can make sure you’re going in the direction you want.