Professional development

Professional development refers to the acquisition of skills and knowledge both for personal development and career advancement. Professional development encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from college degrees to formal coursework, conferences and informal learning opportunities situated in practice. It has been described as intensive and collaborative, ideally incorporating an evaluative stage. There are a variety of approaches to professional development, including consultation, coaching, communities of practice, lesson study, mentoring, reflective supervision and technical assistance.

History

The concept of professional development has been linked historically to both individuals who sought to better their skills for their own personal development and those who sought to educate others to create a more skilled workforce that could serve the needs of both individuals and society.

Types

Professional development may be geared toward improving an area “in need of improvement” from a previous evaluation or related to an employee’s new responsibilities or future career goals. This could include gaining additional certification or degrees, attending conferences and seminars, and undergoing training programs or workshops.

Education

In education, professional development may include formal types of vocational education, typically post-secondary or poly-technical training leading to qualification or credential required to obtain or retain employment. Professional development may also come in the form of pre-service or in-service professional development programs. These programs may be formal, or informal, group or individualized. Individuals may pursue professional development independently, or programs may be offered by human resource departments.

Engineering and technical fields

In the engineering and technical fields, professional development is often required to maintain certification and licensure. It may be obtained through various types of professional development resources, including structured coursework, conferences and workshops, and self-directed learning.

Benefits

Professional development offers numerous benefits to individuals and organizations. It allows individuals to keep up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in their field, improve their performance and efficiency, and enhance their career opportunities. For organizations, professional development can improve job satisfaction and retention, increase productivity, and support the achievement of organizational goals.

See also

• Continuing professional development
• Professional association
• Professional school
• Professional ethics
• Professional certification

References

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