Have you heard the infamous saying, “Change begins at the end of your comfort zone,” and wondered what it means? Growth and change are crucial to becoming the best version of yourself. Professional development begins in the classroom and expands into your future career and personal life, meaning it is vital that you are adaptable. As a student and in your career, you are constantly challenged and gaining new skills, knowledge, and experiences that aid your professional development. 
East Ohio College is here to help you understand why professional development is important and to guide you along your educational journey. Continue reading to learn more!
Growth As A Student
A student’s primary focus during their educational journey is gaining valuable knowledge, skills, and experience they need to be successful in their future career. Investing time in your education will provide you with the expertise to develop your professional career. Throughout your education at East Ohio, every lecture, lab, and clinical experience is an opportunity for intellectual growth.
Additionally, stepping outside your comfort zone when training for your new career is important. Hands-on lab and clinical training allows you to practice real-world skills in a controlled, instructor-led environment, helping you gain confidence and grow professionally.
Developing interpersonal relationships with your peers, professors, and mentors throughout your education is also an invaluable way to receive support. Expanding your professional network also allows you to forge connections with mentors and industry experts that could lead to potential recommendations and job opportunities.
East Ohio College students also benefit from additional career management services, which support students throughout their time as an East Ohio student and beyond. These valuable student services include externship placement, interview preparation, resume writing assistance, and more. East Ohio alums also have lifelong access to these services should they need help with future job placement or brush-up courses* at East Ohio College as their industry evolves.
Development As A Professional
The transition from student to professional signifies the start of a new chapter in your life. Once you have completed your education at East Ohio College, you are ready to begin your new career. However, your learning is not complete just because you have received your degree or diploma. As a working professional, it is essential to continue learning new skills and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
Many industries, including healthcare, are constantly evolving, and you must adapt. Continuously learning can help you stay up-to-date with changes happening in your industry and become knowledgeable about the latest advancements. You can always remain in the know by continuing your formal education through a bachelor’s degree and beyond, industry-specific online courses, or professional development workshops.
Your professional network is an excellent resource as you begin to navigate the workforce. Utilizing the connections you created during your education can set you up for potential job opportunities. For example, if you made a great impression on the manager of your externship site, they could potentially offer you a position upon graduation or refer you to someone in their network for a job. Asking for constructive feedback from industry experts in your network and taking their advice is also a great way to grow as a professional.
Finally, to achieve your goals, you must first think about what your goals are. As you approach the end of your education, take time to set SMART career goals. This will help you develop your career goals and stick to them. The East Ohio College career services department can also provide individualized career planning to help set you on the right path to achieve your goals.
Embrace The Journey At East Ohio College!
Professional development is a lifelong journey that begins in the classroom and extends into your career. East Ohio College is here to help you along the path to a successful career by developing hands-on skills, industry connections, and student support. Join the East Ohio family by calling 833-EASTOHIO or Requesting Information today!
*Career Management Services are subject to specific conditions and requirements and to continued campus operations. Please see the campus catalog for complete details.