"Persons who reach the higher rungs in business
management, selling, engineering, religious work, writing, acting, and in every
other pursuit get there by following conscientiously and continuously a plan
for self-development and growth." -- David J. Schwartz
All over the world, serious professionals
recognize the need for constant upgrading of their skills and knowledge bases.
It is not just about their certificates anymore once they are out of the
schools. As they recognize that the certificates can only earn them the jobs
but it cannot keep them perpetually on the jobs just as it cannot replace their
performance. Once employed, the professional is expected show that he is more
than the certificate and also bring his knowledge to work for the good and
progress of the organization that employ him.
As he progresses on his work, he finds that
he needs to get himself acquainted with the changing global trend in the
industry. The rapid technological advancement as well as the increasing
competition in the market for goods and service, at personal and organizational
level necessitate periodical knowledge upgrade and skill acquisition to tackle
each career phases. Those who neglect to upgrade their knowledge base do
constantly find themselves lagging behind and consequently record low
productivity.
It is part of this reason that professional
associations become the rallying point for professionals as well as a ready
platform to be up-to-date on information relating to their trade. To some,
reading textbooks and journals is enough while to professionals like engineers,
there is also need for more than reading of books as tested models, practices
and ideas are required.
Various means by which engineers can
develop themselves professionally, outside formal education are through; Continuing
professional development, CDP, Executive courses, workshops and seminars,
interaction with professional bodies, conferences and of course through
mentoring as well as daily work experiences.
No matter how brilliant an engineers was in schools, his achievements
and performance on job are tied to the manner he upgrade his skills while on
work as he faces new challenges on each works. This is why they are called professionals.
It is therefore no wonder that engineers
generally attached importance to postgraduate experiences and trainings while
most employers place emphasis to membership of recognized engineering bodies.
It is also no surprises that registration with regulating body as COREN require
that prospective applicants must have proven records of being a member of
recognized engineering bodies. Unlike some profession where your mastery of
theory may earn you quick knowledge upgrade, it could be dangerous for engineers
to rely solely on books for his professional development just as it is very
important for him to invest heavily in professional books, journals and
technical papers.
Whatever his area of specialization, he
will have to develop the habit of listening to people with tested knowledge,
ideas, techniques, and models; people
who have been on the job and have proven track records and who have
travelled widely over the years and accumulated vast amont of knowledge, skills
and experiences on the job. It is not enough, for instance for someone to read
about a talking machine and then, without much research and proven knowledge
convince his employer to invest in such machine. He must also equip himself
with more knowledge on the same and be convinced that the machine building is a
feasible project just as it will be economically rewarding to his firm. Making
decisions like this go beyond reading of books.
Among of the avenues created by
professional bodies in learning from one another and also sharing experiences,
knowledge upgrades is National Conference, Where various speakers of diverse
backgrounds and experiences converge to make presentation on issues of concern
to the profession. Through this platform, members are able to contribute,
compare experience, exchange views, networks and unknot knotty issues where
applicable. The beauty of National Conferences is, it ability to pull together
the professionals from both the academic community and practicing engineers.
This makes such conference intellectually and professionally enriching. The
robustness of the discussions also adds to its allure.
So important are these conferences that
some presenters, and professionals had to travel over a wide distant to deliver
or listen to technical presentation. One get to meet professionals, researchers
and the key players in the industry.
Making presentation at conferences is as
important as attending, as it provides ample opportunity to broadcast, share
and earn respect for your works (and experience) among the professional
community. Scholarly and professional presentations also enable you to hear
reviews of your works by other professionals. Appearance at these conferences
provides an outlet for both national and international recognition for your
works. Engineers should always budget annually for such conferences.
The variation of the location of such
conference also makes an interesting attraction as it open up opportunity for
participants to visit new places, explore new cultures and build for themselves
with new professional circles and networks.
Finally experts advocated the need for
annual vacation by busy professionals to take time off and rejuvenate their
body. It also offers such advantages as helping against burn out, increased
productivity, improved mood, and keeps stress level lover and energy level
higher. The engineers perform a lot of physical and mental works and such conferences
provide opportunity for them to unwind as well as learn. It is like catching
two birds with a stone.
For all these to be accomplished, the
professional bodies organizing these conferences and the participating
engineers all have roles to play. As Brian Tracy would out it: "Continuous
personal and professional development is your key to the future."
Note:
BETWEEN NOVEMBER 7TH - 9TH , 2012 @ VENUE : DELIGHTSOME HOTELS & RESORT, OSOGBO , OSUN STATE, NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS WILL HAVE THEIR NATIONAL CONFERENCE CONTACT [email protected] for more info or go to Conference
BETWEEN 17 AND 19 OCTOBER 2012 @ UNIVERSAL HOTEL, INDEPENDENT LAYOUT ENUGU, NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS WILL HOLD HER INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND SILVER JUBILEE. CONTACT: [email protected] or visit NIMECHE
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