Self-Driven Learning

Work is a place to learn, contribute, and build a portable identity, not a destination to stay forever. Self-driven learning happens inside your role and outside it. Inside the placement you will run small experiments, practice soft skills, and gather evidence. Outside it you will learn through your network: peers, mentors, alumni, and communities of practice. Treat both as classrooms. The goal is compounding growth over years, not just performance this term.

Today, it is more important for you to take ownership of two things that were less relevant in the past.

• Your own learning and development
• Building your networks

Specific Steps

Unlike traditional learning methods, self-driven learning empowers individuals to take control of their educational journey, tailoring it to their unique needs, interests, and goals. There are numerous ways to engage in self-driven learning (and some help build networks too), each offering unique benefits for example:

• Enrolling in formal courses, whether online or in-person, provides structured learning with a clear curriculum. Universities and educational platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer a wide range of courses in various fields.
• Free certifications can boost your skills and credentials. Websites like Google Digital Garage and HubSpot Academy provide free courses and certifications in areas such as digital marketing, data analysis, and project management for example.
• YouTube is a treasure trove of educational content, with countless tutorials and lectures available for free. Channels like Khan Academy, TED-Ed, and CrashCourse cover a wide range of subjects, from mathematics and science to history and philosophy.
• Building a professional network is a valuable way to learn from others. Attending industry conferences, joining professional associations, and participating in online forums can connect you with experts and peers who can share insights and advice.
• Finding a mentor can provide personalized guidance and support. Mentors can offer valuable feedback, share their experiences, and help you navigate your career path. Many organizations have formal mentorship programs, and platforms like LinkedIn can help you connect with potential mentors.
• Conducting informational interviews allows you to gain insights into different career paths and industries. By speaking with professionals in your field of interest, you can learn about the skills needed, challenges faced, and potential opportunities. Platforms like LinkedIn or Ten Thousand Coffees can help you reach out to industry experts for these informal yet informative conversations.

Additional Resources

Thanks to CPCF graduate Devon Ainslie for these resources

Where to find volunteer opportunities:

• https://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-parks-volunteer-opportunities
• https://www.niagarathisweek.com/volunteer-opportunities/
• https://www.ywcaniagararegion.ca/volunteering-opportunities

Free Certificates to enhance your resume:

• Muck Rack Academy
• HubSpot Academy
• LinkedIn Learning
• Course on research ethics (great for health communications, science, or anything
  involving research on humans) – https://tcps2core.ca/welcome
• Google Certificates
• Ontario Human Rights Commission – https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/learning/learning

Webinars are also free learning and a way to enhance skills, these can also be put on your
resume:

• Sept 23 – 27, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be hosting a free
  series of lunch and learns ahead of Sept 30 – https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-andlearns/
• https://www.hootsuite.com/webinars
• Western University: https://gbvlearningnetwork.ca/webinars/recordedwebinars/index.html

Newsletter subscriptions about business and social media are a great way to stay in touch
with current trends:

• The Peak (News about business, finance and tech in Canada)
• The Brew (American-based, but a great round of marketing trends and insights)
• Buper (full of social media trends from all channels)