Inadvertent Learning

In a study of American Workers conducted by the Pew Research Center in the Fall of 2015 and published in March of this year concerning employee's motives for advanced education and training- researchers found that “63% of full- and part-time workers say they have taken steps in the past 12 months to upgrade their skills and knowledge.” (Rainie). Motivations for taking courses and participating in training ranged from a desire to learn, maintain or improve job skills; pursuit of raises or promotions; advancement to other positions, or with other employers; licensure or certification requirement; all the way to concerns over potential downsizing.  

While the study addresses focused and determined learning, i.e., a formally-packaged curriculum, created either by companies, or educational institutions- it did not address circumstances where workers gain knowledge, or at least enhance their knowledge, through unintended and indirect means. What I speak of here are those instances where- in speaking with a co-worker, a customer, or a vendor interaction- the worker gains insight into a company’s policies, processes, strategy, or programs then uses that same kernel of knowledge to produce even greater results within a company.

For example, as a contractor and sometimes temporary worker, I am called upon to cover positions in a number of varied industries; most recently at a professional association here in the city. And although I have 5 years of experience as a paralegal along with 2 years of formal education in paralegal studies- I am far from mastering the subject. Consequently that when clients call in asking for assistance, I often utilize a number of different resources to assist them and in so doing- each time I skim a paragraph on a resource like FindLaw, peruse information on the organization’s own website, or discuss a situation with staff post-telephone call, I garner additional information and insight that helps me quickly and efficiently address the next caller; thereby, continuing to further the mission and goals of the organization with whom I am contracted. 

And for me, just as with the participants in that Pew Research Center study, there is both intrinsic and extrinsic value in that.

  

Bibliography

Rainie, Lee. Incentives- and pressures - for U.S. workers in a 'knowledge economy'. Study findings. Washington: Pew Research Center, 2016. PDF.