5 ways to advance your skills at work

This post was originally written by me as a staff writer for Fiscal Phoenix, which is now on hiatus. This post is reposted with permission. 

One of the dangers of working in a government job is previously accumulated and sharp skills languish. In many positions, the skills acquired prior to the job lapse as we become more acclimated to the systems, paperwork and language of our new job.  It’s easy to become complacent and forget that there’s a whole world out there that does not use the skills you’re learning.

But what if you’re someone who is averse to standing still? What if you like to learn and acquire new skills not only to improve your job performance but improve yourself? What if you don’t want to stay in the same position for your entire career and you know the only way to advance is to acquire or polish old (or new) skills? How do you do this in an environment that doesn’t promote those opportunities?

Fortunately, it’s easier than it seems. You have to dig deep and be proactive in order to acquire new skills, but it’s not a hopeless situation.  Here are some ways to build or advance skills:

• Take a class at a community college or through an online program.This is probably the most expensive option since you’ll have to pay for it yourself. But if you can manage it, this is a way not only to advance your skill set but it’s a great way to network with others. You never know what kind of opportunities you’ll learn about by meeting people outside of your office.
• Self-teach. Books from the library, blogs, YouTube videos…those are all cost effective ways of teaching yourself a skill. For instance, I know almost nothing about coding for websites but it’s a skill that I want to learn. When I’m playing around with my personal blog and I’m stuck on a particular issue, I’ll do a quick Google search and I can usually find the answer. Which not only makes me proud of myself but it also means that the knowledge will stick with me.  And the best part? It’s free!
• Ask a co-worker. If you have a co-worker who has a particular skill that you want to learn, ask him or her if she wouldn’t mind teaching you. Don’t be afraid to ask. In my experience, most people are very willing to teach someone what they know. And, if you’re afraid of looking foolish, don’t. Because at one point, the expert you’re asking didn’t know anything either.  As someone who’s been on both the asking and the teaching end of this, I can tell you that is an extremely effective method for learning.
• Join a professional network. Similar to taking a class at a community college, this could be a pricey option but the benefits are worth the price. Many professional networks offer continuing education options for members or even one day workshops. They often offer online resources for skill building, as well as host of members you can use as teachers or mentors.
• Attend work sponsored conferences and workshops. While your workplace may not provide specific trainings, there are often conferences and workshops that provide a cursory overview of certain skills. Even a 3 hour workshop can provide you withbackground knowledge and, in some instances, it might be enough to give you an advantage over someone else. And, since they’re work sponsored, they’re typically free.

Readers, how do you develop your skills in an environment that doesn’t allow for those opportunities?