What are my Co-Workers Seeking?

I guess I have often wondered wy people attend various staff developments, workshops, or conferences. Our office supports and partially funds professional development opportunities of many kinds. Sometimes these can bring out some self-reflection and sometimes can transform their view of the world. Why do they go? Did they decide on their own or was it encouraged?

I talked to five people who attended different learning experiences.

The person who attended a Diversity Training said she chose it because she had received a little promotion and that she would be having more contact with diversity in her job. She had heard it would be a high quality training with top-of-the-line speakers. It was self-education that motivated her. She reported that it was a good experience and learned some very positive things about herself. Although, she made the decision on her own to participate, her supervisor recommended it to her.

A colleague participated in a group activity that involved working with a diverse population. The people involved knew that they were going to help the "homeless" but the colleague wondered how he could help and to what extent are they homeless? He chose to go because he wanted something different to think about and possibly to renew some faith. His supervisor was very supportive of this. He reported that it was a good experience and learned some positive things about others and himself.

Two colleagues attended the same training. One of them went because there hasn't been much training for support staff. It was a basic class in computers, but she still attended. The other colleague attended because she was new and felt she could learn some computer skills. The one that had been in the office the longest received a small amount of computer tips, but enjoyed learning other tips from other support staff. The new support staff felt she had gained much information and found it very helpful, but she didn't get to know other support staff people. So they both learned. Their supervisor supported this event.

Another colleague that I interviewed attended a week-long intense training out-of-state. This training was on nutrition-update. Many attended the conference. The conference was all well-planned and everyone knew what was going to happen. The training was high quality and very motivational. She applied for this opportunity and received a grant. She made the decision on her own to participate, her supervisor recommended it to her.

Some similarities were that they enjoyed not knowing exactly what to expect and talked about the excitement it created. They all thought it was worth their time and effort. The difference came out on how they are going to use the trainings in their work. It is really great when colleagues support each other when they have had trainings. It would be easier for them to incorporate training into work.

We need to support each other for a strong organization.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2000