thin-banner-1200x300If you work in an industry that is constantly having to adjust to new advancements in technology, you may be finding that keeping up with the changes is next to impossible. After all, you’d like to be able to stay up to date all the time but between balancing your weekly workload, your family and other daily responsibilities, it seems nearly impossible.

Even if your employer is offering to have you enrolled in the next available professional development courses, you may have to wait several months for these to start, or wait until you have time in your schedule to complete them. When this occurs, you don’t simply want to stop trying to better yourself, as well as advance yourself in your career. Consider taking the steps below until you are able to enroll in one of the many computer and technical skills courses at the Professional Development Center at Glendale Community College!

Read As Much As Possibledreamstime_xxl_29483119

Whether you prefer to have the latest book releases that reference advancements in technology or you have a go-to website that keeps you “in the know”, reading as much as possible is a great way to stay up to date on what is happening in your industry. Take half an hour every morning when you get to the office to scroll through some of your favorite technologically centered blogs, or read your favorite new technology-centric book before bed each night.

Watch Online Tutorials

There are numerous websites out there who make it their sole purpose to constantly update the public, specifically people working in technological fields on what is occurring behind the scenes. Try to seek out online tutorials on these sites that show new programs, processes and more that apply to your career field.

Test Products

If you have the opportunity, try to get your hands on new software and learn what makes it better or worse than past technology you have used. Using a wide variety of software and electronics will make you an expert in what sort of products your company should be using in the future.

Network Constantly

Having connections to other people who work in your field will surely keep you in the loop about any advancements or additionally, professional development opportunities that may be available to you. Whether it’s just dropping an occasional line to ask if anything new and interesting is happening at a friend’s company or contacting an old employer or coworker to say “hello”, the more connections you have, the better.