15 Years of Continuous Learning

15 Years of Continuous Learning

Working in IT continuous learning is a way of life. I was recently encouraging members of my team to pick 1 hard skill and 1 soft skill course to add to their goals for this year. I logged into Pluralsight to share some ideas. I was surprised when I saw that I had 579 hours of training and 264 completed courses. I recently completed the LinkedIn Learning course: Gaining Skills with LinkedIn Learning by Oliver Schinkten, and it got me thinking about learning over the years. 

I have loved Pluralsight, and especially courses by Jason Alba, I wrote a piece on why I enjoy Jason’s courses so much and an overview of Pluralsight many year ago. Back in 2013 Pluralsight purchased IT Training Network TrainSignal, which I had access to since 2010, And the learning history was brought in. So, I have 579 hours and 264 courses over 15 years across the platform. Many great skills, technologies, soft skills and sometimes just a refresher.

An example of how I used Technology training from a past job. Many years ago, when I moved from Service Desk to the Senior team one of my first task was to build a VMWare VDI Environment, I watched the course beginning to end, watched it again taking specific notes, then built out the environment without any issues. 

What I love about IT and now management is the need for continuous learning. I often state if I ever came into money the first thing I would do is go back to university. I have an uncle who is 93 and takes courses every fall and winter semesters at UW and Laurier, he has added 3 degrees since retiring. Back in 2006 I believe he was the oldest active student at UW and wrote about him for the student paper; Possibly the oldest active student at UW - Lucien Guillaume. I spent over 20 years as an undergraduate because I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life and just loved learning, I wrote a piece called; 20 Years After - Reflections on Life, the University and Everything. It was always my fall-back because of a natural talent, and it has provided lifelong learning opportunities. I now have access through work to LinkedIN Learning and have completed 8 courses over the last 6 months on that platform. I am grateful that most of my corporate career I have been at employers that support and encourage learning. And I am thankful my current employer is passionate about it. Even curating thematic content every month for us.

No matter where you are in your career or what your job is I encourage you as I did my team this year, pick a course or 2 to learn and grow. The benefit personally, and professionally is well worth the time and effort. And here is to the next 500 hours of learning!