Six Creative Ways to Develop Your Professional Skills
A client recently scheduled a session to strategize on how they can develop their skills at work.
At the beginning of the conversation, they were thinking small—constrained by working within the limited funds available for professional development at their organization.
Unfortunately, a lot of organizations offer limited (if any) financial support for professional development. But don't let that be the deciding factor on how or if you grow.
There are more resources and opportunities for professional development than ever before.
Get in the driver's seat of your own professional growth by exploring these creative ways to develop your skills (many of which cost $0):
1. Take a class
Professional development isn't just about enrolling in a formal degree program. There are so many ways to grow in a specific area that will help you up your game. Instead of devoting yourself to a full, comprehensive (and likely expensive) program, you can target specific skills that you want to grow.
This can be anything from self study via youtube videos to a certification program that will earn you not just skills but a credential. Start by checking out LinkedIn Learning (you can try it for free for a month), and dip into the many other platforms on the rise, like Skillsoft and Udemy.
--> After 15 years at her current job, one of my clients woke up to the huge disconnect between what she does now and what she sees as meaningful work. At first, she thought about quitting on the spot, then she thought about enrolling in a degree program—but ultimately she found a free course on global poverty taught by an MIT professor on edX. The experience is giving her a chance to thoughtfully affirm that this is the direction she wants to take, discover the lay of the land in the field, connect with other professionals, and explore a program or career pathway aligned with her mission.
2. Take advantage of untraditional conferences
These days, many conferences that would have required significant travel in the past are accessible from virtually anywhere (hah). That means costs are lower and learning is more accessible. (Some even offer scholarships, like the New England Museum Association conference, which I'll be presenting at in November).
Conferences are about attending sessions to further your learning, sure—but they're also about connecting with others. Virtual conference organizers are increasingly using inventive tools like the Whova app and virtual seating at a small group "table" to make those connections possible. It's easy to skip out on these parts of the conference, but don't—interpersonal connections are one of the most meaningful takeaways, and you never know where they will lead.
--> My client Angelica can vouch for this—we met at a conference in Philadelphia in 2014 and have become great friends and collaborators even though we live on opposite coasts. We went on to co-chair a national task force together, she (and her husband) became coaching clients, and I'm honored that her beautiful daughter calls me Auntie. We'll be co-facilitating a Leadership Lab on leadership & parenthood later on this fall.
3. Seek out a professional organization
There's a professional organization for pretty much any role or industry. Whether you're a DJ, project manager, or nonprofit consultant, there's a group of fellow nerds out there who want to think and talk about the things that you thought only you cared about.
Whether they're a national group or a local chapter, these organizations aren't just for established professionals—they're for people who are aspiring to enter the field as well. Often, they're full of friendly people who would be happy to share the story of how they got where they are, what they see as the biggest opportunities in the field, or how to get your foot in the door of the industry.
--> One of my current clients is pivoting careers into the field of Learning and Development (L&D). She just joined the Association for Talent Development in New England, where she'll now have access to tons of resources, workshops, and skills assessments. Her goal is that, by immersing herself in the local L&D community, she'll be able to expand her network and make more direct connections between her past experience and the skills required for L&D positions.
4. Ask people you admire for their time/mentorship
Asking someone to be your mentor can be a little daunting—sort of like going up to them and saying, "Will you be my mommy?" That's a pretty tough yes to get. Chances are, they have high demands on their time and attention, and they'll want to do right by you and therefore will hesitate to take on such a big commitment.
Here's a great trick for getting someone's mentorship without freaking them out: Ask them for 20 minutes of their time on a phone call. Prepare some questions to ask them. Use their time well. Then, at the end of the call, say, "This has been so helpful. I really appreciate your mentorship. Would you be open to scheduling another 20 minute call in six weeks to check back in?" They'll probably think to themselves, "Wow, that was mentorship? It was actually pretty easy." And it'll be an easy yes to meet again.
--> I first met my mentor, Kate, at a local training event. She asked a smart question that caught my attention—it was clear that she brought a refreshing perspective to the topic at hand. While we gathered up our coats at the end of the session, I asked her out for a tea. We had a great conversation that was equally valuable to each of us. Soon, we were meeting monthly to talk about work and our professional growth. At one of these meetings, she reflected to me that she saw me giving people a whole new way to think about how they navigate their lives. That was a seed that grew into Penney Leadership.
5. Become a mentor
Instead of finding a mentor to help you grow, maybe it's time for you to consider becoming a mentor—especially if you don’t think you’re ready.
When you become a mentor, you have the opportunity to reflect on your path, shape your professional narrative, and crystallize lessons learned to pass on (so your mentee doesn't have to learn them the hard way). You'll have more to share than you realize. Through being there to encourage and support others, you'll develop your own professional identity and build your confidence. Double win.
--> I was asked to become a mentor before I thought I was ready. I was 29 when my alma mater asked me to join a special program that pairs female alumni and college seniors for mentorship. When the email dropped in my inbox, I thought: “They think they can learn from me? I don't even have my own career figured out. How could I help someone else?" I now know that mentoring isn't about having all of the answers—it's about asking powerful questions, together. This year is my 8th year mentoring in the program, and I'm excited to meet my new mentee later today.
6. Serve on a board or committee
Here's another double win—developing your skills while helping out a cause that matters to you. Serving on a committee or board is a great way to broaden your experience and your network of colleagues.
Whether it's planning a fundraising event, overseeing organizational governance, or engaging in programming, board and committee service calls you to step up as a leader and do something different from your usual day to day. This is especially important when you feel stuck or held back in your current role—by engaging in a different organization, you'll have a whole new opportunity to show up, define who you are as a professional, build your confidence, and make an impact.
--> Last year, one of my clients was positively withering in her current role. After 7 years and several leadership changes, organizational trust had eroded to the point that managers had to be cc'd on every single email. She wanted to make a change, but she knew she didn't want more of the same—she had to pivot into a different, more meaningful line of work. She got involved at a local nonprofit, where she joined the Finance Committee. This helped her to develop her confidence in a setting outside of work, contribute to a cause she felt passionate about, and develop her financial administrative skills at the same time. It was a bright spot where she was able to be herself and let her skills come forward. The committee chair ended up serving as a reference when she applied for a new job opportunity. He sung her praises AND invited her to join the board of directors. Now, she has a sweet new job and a meaningful leadership role as well.
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As I look back on these six professional development pathways, I realize that they're all not just about learning—they're about connecting with others.
Isn't that something?
