Monday 11 June 2012

Can You Ever Be TOO Professionally Developed?

Last week I was asked by a colleague to make a list of any professional development activities that I had taken part in over the last few months so she could report them back at a divisional meeting. I got out the diary and made her a list, but even I was a little shocked at the length of it. I have something on most weeks but I didn't really add it all up until I saw the list in black and white and found that there were about twelve events/courses on there. This got me thinking (hence this blog post!)

I know that there has been discussion recently over why some librarians feel the need to get involved with so many things outside work - and become the so-called "uber librarian". I've seen arguments both for and against and I think a lot of it depends on your personality or work situation. Personally, I have had to really fight to get the job I'm in now and I think this has influenced the amount of 'extra-curricular' activities that I take part in. When I was working part-time I needed something to fill those spare hours which made me feel like I was still connected to the profession, and I was also preparing for job interviews. I've lost count of the number of times I was told I was unsuccessful because the other candidates were doing library courses or taking part in conferences, rather than that they had specific job related skills that I didn't. There has been a lot of speculation recently over whether extra activities have any bearing on whether you get the job or not. I think it depends a lot on the organisation you are applying to, the role you are applying for and the mindset of the people conducting the interview. If there are two candidates with a similar skill set then I would like to think that being professionally involved gives you a little bit of an edge but I could be wrong. My main question is this - how much involvement is too much?

What worries me about taking part in any or all of these activities is whether a future employer will see my participation as a good thing or as something which takes me away from the job that they are actually paying me to do. Personally I think that a professional interest is very important. Why spend most of your waking time doing a job if you are not going to be 100% committed to it? I am well aware of the fact that sometimes I need to learn to say no, but there just happen to be many things that interest me just now. I'm lucky enough to be able to attend many of the events that I would like to, so I feel that I would be missing out on an opportunity if I didn't. I also think that both my professional involvement and my library course have given me more confidence - both inside and outside my job. Surely this can only be a good thing?

Another issue that has arisen recently is whether I should be using my annual leave to take part in some of these activities. I have been told more than once recently by various people that I shouldn't be taking leave to attend events etc. since professional development is part of my career. I can understand where they're coming from but when you're doing something every week, and sometimes more than once a week, when does it become unprofessional to keep asking for time off? My personal philosophy is that if it's directly related to my job, organised by the university that I work for or I've been asked to go then I should ask for time off. If it is something that I've found out about and want to attend, then why should my employers have to give me time off when I could take it from my leave?


I really just wanted to canvass some opinion on the topic of professional development. What do other people do? Does anyone feel the same as me or am I just being over cautious? I think what it will come down to is a balancing act, but I just need a little help on where to hold the pole (or in the case of the picture, the fan)! All opinions gratefully received...

Photo credits:
Google calendar: Spinstah
Tightrope walker: Korea.net

20 comments:

  1. I've done quite a bit of recruitment, admittedly all in the same organization. Very rarely have lots of professional development had much influence, and then more often negative if it gives the impression the candidate would rather be doing something else or is using cpd as entertainment. I think there are people who do have this attitude. Also, we are normally looking for experience proving they have certain skills and attributes, which training rarely delivers unless in context and followed up.

    If the cpd is planned, relevant, and shows a wish to learn and develop then it is certainly very positive. Being selective of what to put on job forms and cvs is a good plan too I think, ie target the evidence of skills to the job.

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  2. Thanks for the comment. I think targeting the cpd to the job you are applying for is certainly a good point. Being seen as doing too much is something I'm afraid of, which is why I tend to do some of it in my own time. *I* know that I'm doing it for the right reasons but I'm not so sure that this would always come across to a potential employer.

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  3. I don't see anything wrong with spending your time on cpd, providing that a) you still get the job done that your employer is paying you for, and b) your employer either supports your attendance at the events or you do it in your own time.

    As for it's use in job applications, it is up to you how much of it you mention on application forms or in job interviews - maybe just choose the stuff that is relevant to the job your applying for.

    Personally, I find that there are lots of potential opportunities for cpd, so I have to ask myself exactly what I'm expecting to get out of each thing before I sign up.

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    1. I think the point about asking myself what I get out of each event is a good one. I must admit that in the past I've gone to things just because they were on but I've tried be a bit more selective now. Of course, the cost factor does help with this!

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  4. Hi Claire, interesting question. I've got two (I think) points to make. The first is about targeting, but in the sense of targeting your training to your own personal career ambitions. What kind of librarian do YOU want to develop into; e.g. systems, subject, school, public, etc. So that's one thing to consider in my opinion and it may help guide you in your choices. The second thing is if you're worried or have some anxiety about the amount of time you take out of your work day/week/month then look at alternative ways of learning something new of developing your skills. It doesn't have to be within a structured tutored-led or guided way. You can read about something, do on-line courses, for example I frequently learn about tools (generally software) by starting to use them. Which I think echo's the previous comment about recruiters looking more for experience to prove the skills.
    Lastly, this may make you feel better or worse about about interviews and apologies if you've seen it before: http://www.gladwell.com/2000/2000_05_29_a_interview.htm

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    1. Thanks, that's a really good idea. I think we too often forget that cpd can be as simple as reading an article on a topic that interests you.

      And thanks for the interview link, it makes me feel a little better (I think!)

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  5. I think you've got it exactly right - unfortunately I rarely have any stuff that is directly relevant but unless it is, I ony ask for half and hour off four times a year to get to a committee meeting on time.

    Tina

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    1. Thanks. I actually don't have a problem taking my leave to go to events/courses if I don't think it's appropriate to ask work. Unfortuntely, it seems to have been causing something of an issue for some people, which is what prompted this post.

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  6. It depends on the institution and getting the balance right. I've always done my voluntary work in the evenings and weekends, unless directly related to the work I am doing in my job. My last employer couldn't give me much time off due to there being no staff to cover, however, my current institution is able to be more flexible. You have to be careful to align your future goals with the cpd you are doing, otherwise, you can end up losing your focus. Don't give up on doing it but perhaps think about why you're attending each event. I went through a period of trying to attend everything and it can be exhausting. Good luck.

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    1. Thanks. I think a lot of the 'problem' for me at the moment is that I'm doing a dissertation on social media in libraries. Since this is something of a hot topic right now there are a lot of things that I find myself wanting to do. I think maybe I need to take a step back from that now and concentrate only on what is really relevant to my work.

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  7. I share the views you suggest in relation to the balance of activities when considering issues regarding those done in work time and those done privately. Not only is time off an issue but also funding has to be considered.

    I work in school and one course per annum is considered good for teachers: some get less than this. I feel fortunate, and well supported, in that I usually manage to attend one event per term (3 per annum). I usually am able, therefore, to attend a course, an exhibition and a CILIP or SLA event during the course of the year. I receive the time to attend these, in addition to my employer paying the relevant fee and meeting my travel expenses.

    On the other hand I take part in other forms of professional development in my own time and pay for these myself, although they are not very expensive and usually closer to home. Some of these are evening meetings whilst I have taken part in events further a field (I live in the north) in Oxford and London during the school holidays. I tend to combined these with short leisure trips! I feel that these are useful as a professional but if they had been in term time I wouldn’t have felt it appropriate to ask my employer as they didn’t relate specifically to my job. For example, a tour of the Bodleian Library and talks about special collections would not relate to my personal development in school. Yet taking part in such events is good for broadening one’s professional knowledge.

    I guess it’s finding an appropriate balance and I feel that I achieve this. I’m able to develop in direct relationship to my employment. But I would definitely say that if it’s a work related course then I would only do it in paid time and with the course fee and my travel expenses paid. The others are more for ‘me’ both in terms of personal development and sheer enjoyment. Of course, what is done personally could be used in the future if applying for jobs elsewhere.

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    1. I think it would be a good idea for more employers to be explicit in how they would support their staff, especially in regard to time allowances. At least then people would have more of an idea where they stand.

      To be fair to my employers they have never said no to my attendence at anything and when I recently asked for (quite a lot of) money for a conference they were more than happy to pay. I just sometimes feel that different managers have different ideas about what is acceptable and a concrete policy would help with this.

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  8. Hi Claire,

    I enjoyed reading your posts and the comments gave me a better understanding on what recruiters may think.

    I couldn't tell you not to attend irrelevant CDP because it would be as if I was telling to myself the same thing.

    While recruiters may not see the relevance in "extra-curricular" activities I would say that these extra activities are the ones that make you have a broader understanding of the profession, of the trends, the society, the future and ultimately where you want to go next.

    I spend a lot of my personal time on CPD, I agree it can be exhausting but it also can be very refreshing!

    I very often get comments like... What a Librarian is doing in the Internet world expo amongst marketers... or what a librarian is doing amongst data analysts in an Eduserve symposium! The truth is that my participation in all these activities gave me a better understanding enriched my practice and both students and lecturers enjoy my sessions. Since I can see the relevance it's OK for me to attend.

    I know that my signature strength is the love of learning so although it can be tiring I like enriching my knowledge or take myself out of the comfort zone... since this is what new knowledge was meant to do... to make us feel a bit uncomfortable.

    A lot of it I am doing it in my personal time. My normal shift starts in the late afternoon so I can spend the mornings in professional events. I rarely ask for time off because I have responsibilities that I can't pass on to my colleagues all the time and of course as you said, it doesn’t feels right to ask for time off all the time.

    I am very lucky though that in the institution I am working for they value the professional development and they never denied a training request for me to attend a session. Even if it is not directly relevant to what I am doing, in the form I fill in, I can always explain why I want to do it and what it will offer to my personal development. I never forget to mention what the benefit would be for my colleagues too.

    When I was involved with CILIP’s CDG all of this work was done outside of my working hours. At the end, it was my decision to be involved in voluntaty professional activism and I had seen relevance for me.

    I would quote Nicky above, “it is up to you how much of it you mention on application forms or in job interviews” but in conclusion I would agree … keep on attending CPD even if it isn’t relevant to what you do. It may be relevant to what you will do next and it also will help you stand out of the crowd, eventually!

    Best - Eleni

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    1. Thanks for the comments. I agree with you, one of the very best things about cpd is that it gives you a window into the profession that might be outside your area of expertise. I think having a wider awareness of professional issues is almost as important as knowing your own job area.

      I think going to things outside your comfort zone is important to. I've signed up to a couple of events in the next few months that are related to my job/interests but are not solely library based. I think that this is important since librarians need to get out of the echo chamber and attending non-library events is one way to do this.

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  9. I don't think a lack of going on training courses/conferences has stopped my career so far - I've been a freelance librarian (self-employed) and worked places without a cpd budget in the past and you make the most of what you can get. You can do a lot with reading around, especially now with blogs and Twitter, which weren't so much in evidence when I was chartering. Don't forget things like volunteering to join committees too.

    I think that as long as events are targeted to what will enhance your job then it's fine in work time (and I think it should be in work time, rather than using annual leave). And making sure you've got time to reflect on them afterwards and work out what you could put into practice.

    Be careful how much annual leave you use for cpd type stuff and try and keep it just for things that are really not related to your current work. At some point in the future you might need the leave for other reasons (going on holiday(!), sick children, sick parent, moving house, funerals etc) and you don't want to find that an expectation has built up that you'll do your cpd in that time too.

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  10. Thanks Katie. I take the point about using too much of my leave to do things - it's always wise to keep some for unforseen events. And you're right in that I don't want to build up an expectation, nor do I want other people within my orgainisation to feel that they have to take leave just because I might to attend something.

    Like you say, I think the key is maintaining a targeted approach. That seems the be the general consensus from the comments that I've been getting and I'm going to take that on board. Once I finished the events coming up in the next couple of months (which I'm happy to say are all job realted!) then I think I'm going to take a little step back. I'll maybe spend the time that I would have spent at a minor event reflecting on a bigger one, that sort of thing.

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  11. As an aside - so long as you tailor your CV each time you have reason to send it out, you don't need to list EVERY CPD event you've attended. Let's face it, what is highly relevant to one application may be totally irrelevant to another! So this is one way of cutting down what might look like an overenthusiastic list of events attended.(I'm a librarian AND a musicologist. My CV can look quite different depending what I'm doing with it!)

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  12. Good point. I recently did a job application and only mentioned what I thought was relevant to the qualities listed in the advert. Time will tell if that approach paid off ;)

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  13. Hello there! I can notice the fact that you deeply get the sense of what you are telling about here. Do you a degree or an education that is associated with the theme of the article? Many thanks in advance for your answer.

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  14. Thanks for your comment. I've just finished by MSc in Librarianship and Information Studies. This post really came out of a discussion that I was having with colleagues about the differences in the amount of professional development that we do. Some people do a lot and others very little so I thought that I would explore the differences and see if I could find out why this is. I'm still doing a lot but whether this is a good thing or a bad thing I don't know ;)

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