Learning: Where did the fun go?

This year, I had the pleasure of presenting Interviewing Skills to job seekers in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. Part of the presentation is available on line at http://www.nepajobfair.com/. One of the items that I covered was researching one’s own skill set to be sure it is up to par. This doesn’t necessarily mean spending money on expensive classes. One can research information on the computer, including taking classes, or by reading industry magazines. There may be someone at work, a neighbor, or friend of a friend who can provide mentoring.

I will tell anyone about the advantages I had working for a large corporation at an early age. It was a learning environment before that phrase was even used. I was exposed to internal and external training and seminars during my work hours. I also had the advantage of subject matter experts (SMEs) to help me grow in my knowledge of human resources. Recently, I realized my own contribution to my career. I took every opportunity to learn. I recall asking our policies department for a copy of the FMLA regulations after it was passed into law in 1993. I still clearly remember how surprised I was when the package arrived and it was an inch thick. It was my first glimpse at legal regulations. I took it home and read every word on every page.
Learning is both our privilege and our obligation. We feel education so important that we require children in the United States to be educated through high school or to the age of 16 when they can quit. What happens after that? The Internet is full of useless information. But there are also sites to learn computer programs, increase math skills, and increase industry or professional knowledge. All it takes is the right combination on a site such as http://www.google.com/, http://www.bing.com/, http://www.info.com/, or http://www.lycos.com/.

This is a fabulous time to be alive and living in a free country. Our limits of opportunity are possibly even higher than we have time or potential to reach. But what else holds us back? Are we waiting for motivation? Or someone to give us what is already in front of us? Or are we looking for an easier path? Or do we think it doesn’t matter because one person can’t make a difference? History provides endless examples on both sides of the spectrum of good and bad. I know that it matters to me what impact I have today as well as tomorrow in the world and people around me. I can’t recall a day in school when I wanted to go to school, but now that I can work on my own terms, I enjoy learning.

What subject are you curious about learning more? What topic or skill set have you been meaning to learn to enhance your career and become more marketable? What is your barrier? I challenge you to knock it down.