OCTOBER 2023BUSINESSMANAGEMENTREVIEW.COM8BUILDING RESILIENCE: LIFELONG LEARNING AS A PROFESSIONAL ASSETBy Heather Zink, Director of EdTech Solutions, American Public EducationIn today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, the imperative for continuous learning has never been more evident. Business professionals continually navigate the ever-changing terrain of technologies, market dynamics, and global challenges. The key to thriving in this dynamic environment lies in the ability to adapt, innovate, and continuously develop our skills. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in the higher education and training space, and currently pursuing a second graduate degree to support a midlife career pivot, I aim to explore the pivotal role of lifelong learning in enhancing professional growth and resilience.THE BENEFITS OF CONTINUING EDUCATIONAs the saying goes, the only constant in life is change. Seasons shift, new leaders emerge, and technological advancements continually shape our lives and influence business practices. Striking the right balance between learning and work is essential. Let's delve into how this practice provides a distinct advantage to professionals.ADAPTABILITY & AGILITYThe cornerstone of professional resilience is adaptability. Market shifts and technological advancements can disrupt industries overnight. Take, for example, the emergence of ChatGPT and generative AI in 2023. Continuous learning equips professionals with the tools needed to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Consider the global pandemic's impact, which led to the examination of hybrid work practices by companies worldwide. Individuals proficient in remote collaboration gained advantages like flexible schedules and greater autonomy in their work.PROBLEM-SOLVING & INNOVATIONLifelong learning nurtures problem-solving skills and fosters innovative thinking. Think about Google's 20% time policy, where employees dedicate 20% of their work hours to personal projects. This initiative has yielded innovative products such as Gmail and Google Maps, driven by employee-driven learning and exploration. Personally, my graduate coursework at the University of North Texas (UNT)1 has empowered me to explore new training practices and formulate strategies for implementing emerging learning technologies. My classmates have become a pilot group, and my professors have been invaluable mentors, all of which benefit my organization's workforce training efforts.CAREER ADVANCEMENTIn a fiercely competitive career landscape, embracing a lifelong learning mindset is pivotal to staying relevant. It enhances career prospects by deepening expertise and bolstering adaptability. With a background deeply rooted in education and professional development, I've observed numerous professionals achieve substantial career progression through their unwavering commitment to continuous learning. In 2022, I applied to join the Online Learning Consortium's Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL)2 program. This investment in a cohort-based leadership development program gave me an opportunity to drive a company-wide change initiative, connect
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