You need to be able to go above and beyond what’s expected of you—not just in your occupation, but in life. Just as it is crucial you manage your time wisely and invest an effort in advancing your career continuously, you should also be working towards depending your understanding of your profession. Professional development means acquiring the latest skills and bolstering your comprehension of what you already know. Professional development is evolution.

That is why professional development is important.

But the question often arises about why you should bother yourself with more work than what you already have. The ideal outcome is that you and everyone who would be involved by your work, such as your employer, other professionals, your industry, families, communities, and employees, is safeguarded.

• Reasons to Consider Continuing Professional Development

Professional development and continuing education is a guarantee to employers that you are keeping up with the current standards of your field. For example, if you are a Project Management Professional (PMP), you will have to fulfill the CCR, or the Continuing Certification Requirement, in order for your certification to be renewed every 3 years. It is like this with many accrediting bodies. Because bodies of knowledge are continuously revised and extended, you can never take a break from learning.  

Continuing professional development will also help you maintain your skills, so you can continue serving your clients and community to the best of your ability. It’s important that your knowledge stays up to date and that you are aware of the changing trends, especially if the field you work in is quick to switch directions. Moreover, you become a more integral team member in your place of employment. You can find yourself in positions you didn’t think were available to you, such as managing, mentoring, coaching, and more.

Another reason to consider professional development is if you are burned out. If you have been working in the same role and completing the same tasks for years, you might no longer have the same passion for your job as you used to. With professional development, the industry will become interesting and relevant once again. You also learn about new possibilities, including any new technologies that could enhance your productivity.

Lastly, depending on your field, continuing education and professional development promotes stability, enhanced quality of life, sustainability, and economy. You will be able to work for longer in the same the company, if you so wish.

Even if continuing education is not required by the governing body of your license or certification, it is wise to think of professional development as a responsibility to your customers and yourself. As a professional, you have to keep your skills current and your knowledge fresh. Otherwise, you can’t serve your clients to the best of your ability.

To summarize, continuing professional development is important for all industries. Because technology is constantly advancing and common knowledge is always being expanded upon, it is your duty as a professional in your occupation to stay current with all skills and techniques. Otherwise, you would be doing yourself a disservice.