Professional Development

March 17, 2015 8:58 AM

How do I find free online professional development resources?

I work as an administrative assistant in a university setting and plan to invest in my career here for the long haul. I've sought out resources for professional administrators and executive assistants online but most of what I've come across are the few professional organizations (IAAP and ASAP) which offer over-priced one-off webinars at $100 a pop or annual conferences that cost 3K to attend.

I do not have access to professional development funds (yet!) so I am looking for great resources for career development available online. I'm looking for both technology training (tips for using outlook, one note, web development, etc.) and corporate and management webinars (I work in a large university system and must work and supervise both students and other staff). I like learning and want to continue to sharpen my skill set in a way that benefits me professionally.

Any topic is fair game! Anything you have come across that offers invaluable professional development advice, training, and tips are welcome! I am ok with book recommendations but prefer online resources.

posted by koinonia to Work & Money (8 answers total)

Have you talked to the Alumni office? My alma does lots of online professional development and when I was employed by the university, but not yet a graduate, I was able to access them. If you present it to your boss in this manner--that you are investing in your career at the university for the long haul, she may be able to gain access for you, if you can't.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:11 AM on March 17, 2015

For software training, your university may have a subscription to lynda.com that allows you a temporary login. I have used this before and some of the videos have been really good. Failing that, even youtube has a lot of good how-to videos for software training.
posted by mukade at 10:02 AM on March 17, 2015 [1 favorite]

Skills get you farther than professional development in other areas at your stage of career, I've found. Look around your company and find the areas where other admins are struggling. Generally, I see this in many companies in spreadsheets and databases. Make sure you have those programs available to you and then start self-teaching via free courseware or videos that are plentiful around the internet.

As you develop skills, ask to take on projects that utilize these skills. That, to me, is the fastest way of being moved up within and out of administration.

Any boss wants employees who are equipped to solve problems, so finding out the areas of need/pain and creating solutions is going to get you closer to where you want to be.
posted by xingcat at 10:17 AM on March 17, 2015

This would be a great question to ask the librarians at your university (if you have library privileges there), or at your public library. A good-sized library probably has numerous options for you.
posted by Bentobox Humperdinck at 10:26 AM on March 17, 2015

The rise of "content marketing" means that a lot of companies are putting out free resources as a way to build their brand and pull in potential new customers. Check out the websites of software and service companies in your industry.
posted by radioamy at 10:31 AM on March 17, 2015

I would dig around on hr websites, etc. Universities often have institutional access to large training libraries- Skillsoft, Lynda, etc, but you have to find the links.
posted by rockindata at 10:40 AM on March 17, 2015

I work in professional development at a large university. All benefit eligible employees here are allowed 16 hours annually for professional development. We offer free workshops weekly and a few at low cost. You might check with your HR office to see if your university has this available. We also have a free mentoring program through our university. Do you get a tuition break, you may be able to take a few classes at a very reduced rate. Good luck with your career.
posted by jennstra at 12:23 PM on March 17, 2015

Career Tools is a podcast intended for individual contributors. They also have Manager Tools, which might not be a good fit right now depending on how much actual managerial and supervisory duties your job has, but will give you a head start if / when you do earn a promotion.
posted by pwnguin at 10:46 PM on March 17, 2015