This one may come as a surprise…professional development and lifelong learning are stress management techniques!
ASHA defined professional development as an instructional activity that helps certificate holders gain or improve knowledge and skills related to speech-language pathology, audiology, or the speech/language/hearing sciences.
Lifelong learning is defined as a voluntary activity undertaken throughout one’s career to enhance knowledge and skills (Dukić, 2023).
Benefits of Lifelong Learning for SLPs
The research shows that professional learning and lifelong learning are crucial tools in stress management across various fields.
Lifelong learning strategies are highlighted as necessary for continuous development and stress management in nursing (Qalehsari et al., 2017). A mindset of lifelong learning is associated with career success and stress management, promoting curiosity, strategic thinking, and resilience (Drewery et al., 2020).
If we synthesize the findings across different professions, we can infer that:
- Professional learning (developing job-related skills) and lifelong learning (continuously gaining new knowledge) are important for managing stress across many different careers.
- Having empathy, working well with other professionals, and always learning new things are crucial aspects of preventing job-related stress.
- Willingness to learn helps people succeed in their careers and manage stress by staying curious, thinking strategically, and being resilient.
As we dig deeper into the specific benefits gained by those staying current and continuously evolving in the field, we see a boost in confidence, efficiency, and overall well-being.
Similarly, being a lifelong learner is a powerful stress management technique as it fosters adaptability, confidence, and resilience.
Professional development for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) serves as stress management by fostering:
- Increased competence and confidence: Engaging in ongoing learning helps SLPs stay updated with the latest techniques, research, and technologies in their field. This can lead to greater competence and confidence in their abilities, reducing stress related to uncertainty or feeling unprepared.
- Improved problem-solving skills: Professional development often includes training on how to handle challenging cases and situations. Enhanced problem-solving skills can reduce the stress associated with difficult or complex cases.
- Workload management: Learning new and efficient methods of assessment and intervention can streamline processes, reducing the time and effort required for certain tasks. This can help manage workload more effectively and prevent burnout.
- Networking and support: Attending workshops, conferences, and seminars allows SLPs to connect with peers. These interactions can provide emotional support, share coping strategies, and create a sense of community, all of which can alleviate feelings of isolation and stress.
- Career satisfaction and motivation: Professional growth and the achievement of new qualifications can enhance job satisfaction and motivation. Feeling accomplished and progressing in one’s career can positively impact overall mental health and reduce stress.
- Access to resources and tools: Professional development can introduce SLPs to new resources, tools, and strategies that can make their work easier and more effective. Knowing they have the right tools at their disposal can reduce anxiety about handling various situations.
- Adaptability to changes: The healthcare field is constantly evolving, and professional development helps SLPs stay adaptable to these changes. Being well-prepared for new developments can mitigate the stress of adapting to industry shifts or new regulations.
- Personal Growth and Resilience: Engaging in continuous learning fosters personal growth and resilience. Developing a growth mindset can help SLPs view challenges as opportunities for learning rather than sources of stress.
In summary, professional development provides SLPs with the knowledge, skills, and support systems necessary to manage the demands of their job effectively, thus serving as a valuable tool for stress management.
Being a lifelong learner is a powerful stress management technique because it fosters many of the same positives, like adaptability, confidence, and resilience.
The two, professional development and lifelong learning, are related concepts but differ in scope and focus
Professional Development
Scope: Focused on improving skills, knowledge, and competencies related to one’s career or specific job role.
Purpose: Enhancing performance, achieving career advancement, meeting continuing education requirements, and staying current with industry standards and practices.
Activities: Includes attending workshops, seminars, conferences, professional courses, certifications, and on-the-job training.
Audience: Typically targeted at professionals seeking to advance or maintain their expertise in their specific field.
Lifelong Learning
Scope: Encompasses a broader commitment to continuously acquiring knowledge and skills throughout one’s entire life, beyond just professional requirements.
Purpose: Driven by personal interest, curiosity, and the desire for self-improvement, cultural enrichment, and intellectual fulfillment.
Activities: Can include formal education, online courses, reading books, learning new hobbies, engaging in community activities, and exploring diverse fields of knowledge.
Audience: Open to anyone regardless of profession or age, promoting a holistic approach to personal and intellectual growth.
An impactful finding (Zhang et al., 2022) is that lifelong learning positively mediates between career competencies and career sustainability (Zhang et al., 2022). In plain terms, that means learning helps bridge the gap between career skills and long-term career success.
This creates a positive cycle. Continuously learning new things throughout your life can improve your skills and help you maintain a successful career over the long term. As one seeks to grow and learn, one can better adapt to changes and stay relevant and competent, which reduces job stress and increases job security, and drives the continued desire to grow and learn.
In which ways have you grown over the course of your career thus far? What would you like to learn next?
Which of the following would you like more information about? Email us at suzanne@spotlighpl.com. We would love to hear from you!
- Finding relevant professional development opportunities
- Balancing professional development with daily responsibilities
- Setting professional growth goals
- Sharing knowledge with peers
References
Drewery, D., Sproule, R., & Pretti, T. (2020). Lifelong learning mindset and career success: evidence from the field of accounting and finance. Higher Education Skills and Work-Based Learning, 10(3), 567-580. https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-03-2019-0041
Dukić, G. (2023). Managers and lifelong learning. Management, 28(2), 57-71. https://doi.org/10.30924/mjcmi.28.2.5
Qalehsari, M., Khaghanizadeh, M., & Ebadi, A. (2017). Lifelong learning strategies in nursing: a systematic review. Electronic Physician, 9(10), 5541-5550. https://doi.org/10.19082/5541
Zhang, W., Chin, T., Li, F., Lin, C., Shan, Y., & Ventimiglia, F. (2022). The impact of career competence on career sustainability among chinese expatriate managers amid digital transformation in vietnam: the role of lifelong learning. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.791636