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People who work in the project management industry often find it challenging to keep their skills up-to-date and maintain their credentials. In order to keep working in the industry, many professionals take a variety of different steps to meet continuing education requirements. For software professionals, that means taking measures to maintain their computing certifications and also staying on top of emerging trends and new technologies. One way to do this is by getting certified as a software professional through continuing education or professional development (PD) courses outside of work. The challenge for many software pros is that these courses usually require the expenditure of time and money, which makes taking them somewhat of a sacrifice. Fortunately, there are several ways you can earn PDUs while staying within your budget and not having to invest more than an hour or two per week on these activities. Here are six tips on how you can start doing so today:
Make the most of your commute time
If you drive or take public transportation to work, you can use that time to your advantage. You can use your commute to listen to online courses on your chosen subject matter. You can also utilize podcasts and audio courses on topics you would like to learn about. Getting your education while commuting can be an effective and inexpensive way to earn PDUs.
Take advantage of your lunch break
Another way to earn PDUs while working is to take advantage of your lunch break. Most companies give at least an hour for lunch, and many employees use that time to go shopping, run errands, or visit the doctor. Instead of doing one of those things, you can use that time to learn about your profession and earn PDUs. There are a number of online courses through reputable providers such as edX and Coursera that are free and can provide you with the necessary PDUs for your certifications. You can also check to see if your employer provides any online training.
Commit 15 minutes before bed
If you are committed to saving time and getting the most out of your day, you can do so by taking advantage of the last fifteen minutes before bed. Many people use this time to read, but reading can make it difficult to fall asleep. For a more restful sleep, you can use this time to listen to podcasts or audio courses that teach you about relevant topics. This will help you gain knowledge while also helping you to relax and fall asleep quicker.
Join a social learning platform
There are a number of social learning platforms that allow you to participate in webinars, online discussions, and other social learning activities. These platforms, such as edX and SkillPath, offer a variety of courses and certifications that can help you earn your PDUs. These courses are free, and you can earn the PMI PDUs by participating in discussions, taking quizzes, and completing other activities on the platform.
Utilize Free Webinars
Webinars are a great way to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in your industry and to earn PDUs. There are a number of professional organizations and technology companies that host regular webinars for their members and provide them for free. These organizations often provide a transcript of the webinar, which allows you to follow along and take notes while being able to read the information at your own pace. You can then use this information to practice your skills and ask questions with fellow participants in the forum section of the webinar.
Conclusion
Many software professionals choose to take continuing education courses outside of work to keep their skills up-to-date and maintain computer certifications. While taking these courses, they can also earn PDUs by utilizing their commute time, taking advantage of their lunch break, committing 15 minutes before bed, joining a social learning platform, and utilizing free webinars. Doing so will help you to earn PDUs without having to spend a lot of money or sacrifice much time.