Mandatory VS. Optional Professional Development

In all career fields, it is important that individuals do not remain stagnant in their professional development.  This poses the question, “Should engineers be required to continue their education and development in the professional career field of Civil Engineering?”  There are a few stances and viewpoints on this issue.  However, the two which I will address will be, it should be mandatory, and it should be an option for engineers to pursue.  In either case, I believe that it is important for employees in all career fields to continue their education whether made mandatory or optional by the employment agency or firm.  I believe employees should need to take professional development courses that allow them to stay up-to-date in a couple areas.  Those areas include the ever-expanding technological career field and materials used in various engineering applications.  I do believe that the expense of this education should be partially, if not fully absorbed by the employer.  I believe this because the employers gain a huge asset in their employees when they become more knowledgeable in their profession.

There are a few reasons why some people believe it should be completely optional for engineers to continue their education.  The biggest conflict or determent to not continue education could be the price tag.  As college students, we are all fully aware that education is not inexpensive by any means.  Although you receive the education you pay for, it puts employees in a potential financial bind if they need to pay for the additional education out of their own pocket.  Another reason employees may not want to participate in professional development opportunities is for the additional time it would take.  If the employer mandates professional development and still expects the same work commitment, this puts undo stress on the employee.  It is unrealistic for an individual to dedicate 40 hours a week to their job and then spend another 20 hours on continuing their education.   This additional time commitment also takes away from the individuals personal lives which could mean losing valuable family time.  Although these reasons pose a good argument against mandatory professional development, there are several reasons that support this ever-growing opportunity.

General Robert E. Lee once said, “The education of a man is never completed until he dies.”  I believe this is perhaps the greatest expression of education.  It is imperative that a person take advantage of any opportunity to develop themselves professionally.  One of the biggest reasons that a person should continue their education is to stay competitive in their career field.  When a person takes advantage of opportunities outside the workplace, they receive countless benefits.  These benefits can range from the potential promotion within their career field to helping advance technology in that same field.  A large area of professional development is the valuable leadership tools that an individual gains.  These tools can then in turn be applied and used in the field.  Employee and conflict management are two areas that professional development addresses.  Being able to work efficiently and effectively within a team is of great value to civil engineers.  Professional development provides employees with this exact area of growth.

There are several types of professional development in which an individual can participate.  These opportunities include seminars, advanced studies, and even going back to school to earn a Master’s Degree in their career field.   Although many people might not think it is appropriate to mandate professional development, I feel it will only benefit the employee in the long run.  When a person continues their education they not only grow as an individual, but they improve the quality of their workplace environment. 

Sources:

First Image: http://www.unl.edu/gsa/images/career/leadlearn.jpg

Second Image: http://www.nicholsaccounting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Career-Ladder.jpg