TO THE POINT
THE BENEFITS OF
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FAR
OUTWEIGH ITS COSTS
By Paul Mwirigi
T
here has been an ongoing
debate online amongst the
working class especially within
the public relations, communication
and marketing industry in formalised
employment about the need for
and importance of professional
development. This followed the
announcement by the Public
Relations Association of Uganda
(PRAU) about the upcoming PRAU
Boot Camp, a three day residential
professional development training
from 29th June to 1st July 2017,
which cost UGX 600,000.
The debate has long been centered
on the question ‘Is it worth it?’ Below
are a few reasons why professional
development can be beneficial to your
career, whether you are formally or self
employed.
Professional Development Keeps You
Current And Updated
It is easy to become complacent
and simply maintain the status quo.
Professional development can shed light
on new approaches and how to navigate
through them. Even for the ‘experienced
‘‘ Remember the phrase “If you think
education is expensive, try ignorance”?
Simply put knowledge is less expensive than
ignorance! The disadvantages of not knowing
far outweigh the price of knowing. Education
is a long term investment that pays dividends
throughout one’s life in their career and also
brings unquantifiable social and emotional
advantages. In my recent career I have seen
people make bad, irreversible real estate
investment decisions out of ignorance.’
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professional’ professional development
is important because it ensures one to
be competent in their profession. Right
now digital media is becoming an
uncontrollable animal that is shaping
every facet of the communications
industry. Only professional development
can help you remain up to speed on how
to navigate through it.
Professional Development Is (A Lot
More) Cheaper Than Ignorance
Yes. Seriously, it is. Remember the
phrase “If you think education is
expensive, try ignorance”? Simply
put knowledge is less expensive than
ignorance! The disadvantages of not
knowing far outweigh the price of
knowing. Education is a long term
investment that pays dividends
throughout one’s life in their career
and also brings unquantifiable social
and emotional advantages. In my
recent career I have seen people make
bad, irreversible real estate investment
decisions out of ignorance.
Professional Development Improves
Proficiency And Efficiency
This point can best be summarized in
three (3) words: Knowledge Is Power.