Is self-directed training the best way to tackle lack of training in the company? [duplicate]

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• 
  How can I approach career development with a boss who doesn't seem to support this?
  
  7 answers
  
  

I am an embedded developer who is undergoing his 4th year in his first workplace. The relationship with the companions is great, and I have no complaints at the moment for work conditions (timetable and salary).

The problem arises when I look back and see that along these four years, given that:

1. Our projects have a scope of years


2. Our boss wants to constantly reuse the hardware developed previously, which can be understood cost-wise

...my spectrum of knowledge is very limited when it comes to tools, workflows and technologies, whereas other companies are always dealing with cutting-edge tech.

Therefore, and given that neither the boss nor the company is willing to invest a single penny in my training (as I do perform well in my project) I had to decide between jumping ship or self-directing my training in the company.

I decided the latter, as my boss is indeed very receptive to new tech and workflow proposals. So I train myself at home and in idle moments at work, and propose new developments to the boss.

• Do you think I took the right decision?


• From an employer point of view is it the right way to tackle with the explained problem? Mean, in a hypothetical job interview tomorrow, is it a thing I could take advantage of?

Any suggestions are welcome, thank you beforehand and sorry for the huge brick of text.

interviewing career-development careers self-direction

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edited Sep 10 '14 at 14:18

yochannah

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asked Sep 10 '14 at 14:07

user26951

234

marked as duplicate by gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings, yochannah, Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey Sep 11 '14 at 6:42

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Very related question I asked about a year ago. Not sure it's the exact same but a very similar situation.
  – Elysian Fields♦
  Sep 10 '14 at 14:40
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

favorite

This question already has an answer here:

• 
  How can I approach career development with a boss who doesn't seem to support this?
  
  7 answers
  
  

I am an embedded developer who is undergoing his 4th year in his first workplace. The relationship with the companions is great, and I have no complaints at the moment for work conditions (timetable and salary).

The problem arises when I look back and see that along these four years, given that:

1. Our projects have a scope of years


2. Our boss wants to constantly reuse the hardware developed previously, which can be understood cost-wise

...my spectrum of knowledge is very limited when it comes to tools, workflows and technologies, whereas other companies are always dealing with cutting-edge tech.

Therefore, and given that neither the boss nor the company is willing to invest a single penny in my training (as I do perform well in my project) I had to decide between jumping ship or self-directing my training in the company.

I decided the latter, as my boss is indeed very receptive to new tech and workflow proposals. So I train myself at home and in idle moments at work, and propose new developments to the boss.

• Do you think I took the right decision?


• From an employer point of view is it the right way to tackle with the explained problem? Mean, in a hypothetical job interview tomorrow, is it a thing I could take advantage of?

Any suggestions are welcome, thank you beforehand and sorry for the huge brick of text.

interviewing career-development careers self-direction

share|improve this question

edited Sep 10 '14 at 14:18

yochannah

4,21462747

asked Sep 10 '14 at 14:07

user26951

234

marked as duplicate by gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings, yochannah, Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey Sep 11 '14 at 6:42

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Very related question I asked about a year ago. Not sure it's the exact same but a very similar situation.
  – Elysian Fields♦
  Sep 10 '14 at 14:40
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

favorite

up vote
3
down vote

favorite

This question already has an answer here:

• 
  How can I approach career development with a boss who doesn't seem to support this?
  
  7 answers
  
  

I am an embedded developer who is undergoing his 4th year in his first workplace. The relationship with the companions is great, and I have no complaints at the moment for work conditions (timetable and salary).

The problem arises when I look back and see that along these four years, given that:

1. Our projects have a scope of years


2. Our boss wants to constantly reuse the hardware developed previously, which can be understood cost-wise

...my spectrum of knowledge is very limited when it comes to tools, workflows and technologies, whereas other companies are always dealing with cutting-edge tech.

Therefore, and given that neither the boss nor the company is willing to invest a single penny in my training (as I do perform well in my project) I had to decide between jumping ship or self-directing my training in the company.

I decided the latter, as my boss is indeed very receptive to new tech and workflow proposals. So I train myself at home and in idle moments at work, and propose new developments to the boss.

• Do you think I took the right decision?


• From an employer point of view is it the right way to tackle with the explained problem? Mean, in a hypothetical job interview tomorrow, is it a thing I could take advantage of?

Any suggestions are welcome, thank you beforehand and sorry for the huge brick of text.

interviewing career-development careers self-direction

share|improve this question

edited Sep 10 '14 at 14:18

yochannah

4,21462747

asked Sep 10 '14 at 14:07

user26951

234

This question already has an answer here:

• 
  How can I approach career development with a boss who doesn't seem to support this?
  
  7 answers
  
  

I am an embedded developer who is undergoing his 4th year in his first workplace. The relationship with the companions is great, and I have no complaints at the moment for work conditions (timetable and salary).

The problem arises when I look back and see that along these four years, given that:

1. Our projects have a scope of years


2. Our boss wants to constantly reuse the hardware developed previously, which can be understood cost-wise

...my spectrum of knowledge is very limited when it comes to tools, workflows and technologies, whereas other companies are always dealing with cutting-edge tech.

Therefore, and given that neither the boss nor the company is willing to invest a single penny in my training (as I do perform well in my project) I had to decide between jumping ship or self-directing my training in the company.

I decided the latter, as my boss is indeed very receptive to new tech and workflow proposals. So I train myself at home and in idle moments at work, and propose new developments to the boss.

• Do you think I took the right decision?


• From an employer point of view is it the right way to tackle with the explained problem? Mean, in a hypothetical job interview tomorrow, is it a thing I could take advantage of?

Any suggestions are welcome, thank you beforehand and sorry for the huge brick of text.

This question already has an answer here:

• 
  How can I approach career development with a boss who doesn't seem to support this?
  
  7 answers
  
  

interviewing career-development careers self-direction

share|improve this question

edited Sep 10 '14 at 14:18

yochannah

4,21462747

asked Sep 10 '14 at 14:07

user26951

234

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited Sep 10 '14 at 14:18

yochannah

4,21462747

edited Sep 10 '14 at 14:18

yochannah

4,21462747

edited Sep 10 '14 at 14:18

yochannah

4,21462747

4,21462747

asked Sep 10 '14 at 14:07

user26951

234

asked Sep 10 '14 at 14:07

user26951

234

asked Sep 10 '14 at 14:07

user26951

234

234

marked as duplicate by gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings, yochannah, Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey Sep 11 '14 at 6:42

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

marked as duplicate by gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings, yochannah, Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey Sep 11 '14 at 6:42

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Very related question I asked about a year ago. Not sure it's the exact same but a very similar situation.
  – Elysian Fields♦
  Sep 10 '14 at 14:40
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Very related question I asked about a year ago. Not sure it's the exact same but a very similar situation.
  – Elysian Fields♦
  Sep 10 '14 at 14:40
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

Very related question I asked about a year ago. Not sure it's the exact same but a very similar situation.
– Elysian Fields♦
Sep 10 '14 at 14:40

Very related question I asked about a year ago. Not sure it's the exact same but a very similar situation.
– Elysian Fields♦
Sep 10 '14 at 14:40

suggest improvements | 

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

up vote
3
down vote

I think everyone should take responsibility for their own skill development in their career. Ideally, everyone would put more emphasis on working at companies that provide training and employers would get the message. You did the right thing.

Make sure there aren't any unintended consequences of your actions.

1. Don't stop asking and suggesting the company look into new things and provide training. If your boss does any type of performance review or wants feedback on how to make things better, don't give up on this issue.


2. Don't leave your colleagues out of this solution. You're improving your skills and that is good, but be willing to share with others and encourage them to look into new things as well.


3. Don't assume new is always better. Try to learn enough about new technologies to be objective when evaluating them AND make sure they are a good fit for your situation. Hardware may be cheaper than developers in some areas, but embedded isn't always one of them. You have to realistically consider the constraints.

Unfortunately, this may be something you're going to mention in an exit-interview.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 10 '14 at 14:25

user8365

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Don't assume new is always better." - this alone is gold.
  – NotMe
  Sep 10 '14 at 15:37
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

You are always the party most responsible for your own professional development. While there is a huge body of knowledge showing that learning organizations are organizations that last; unfortunately, many small companies either don't realize this or don't have the funds to support it.

Because your company falls into this group of "un-learning organizations", you are going to have to build your skillset yourself. Honestly speaking though, its in your best interests to continue to hone your craft. What you don't want to do is get very comfortable with a niche technology for a lengthy period of time. If you do, when that job is no longer there, you will be amazed at how hard it will be to get a new position.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 10 '14 at 15:35

answered Sep 10 '14 at 15:21

Mike Van

2,82021025

suggest improvements | 

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
3
down vote

I think everyone should take responsibility for their own skill development in their career. Ideally, everyone would put more emphasis on working at companies that provide training and employers would get the message. You did the right thing.

Make sure there aren't any unintended consequences of your actions.

1. Don't stop asking and suggesting the company look into new things and provide training. If your boss does any type of performance review or wants feedback on how to make things better, don't give up on this issue.


2. Don't leave your colleagues out of this solution. You're improving your skills and that is good, but be willing to share with others and encourage them to look into new things as well.


3. Don't assume new is always better. Try to learn enough about new technologies to be objective when evaluating them AND make sure they are a good fit for your situation. Hardware may be cheaper than developers in some areas, but embedded isn't always one of them. You have to realistically consider the constraints.

Unfortunately, this may be something you're going to mention in an exit-interview.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 10 '14 at 14:25

user8365

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Don't assume new is always better." - this alone is gold.
  – NotMe
  Sep 10 '14 at 15:37
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

I think everyone should take responsibility for their own skill development in their career. Ideally, everyone would put more emphasis on working at companies that provide training and employers would get the message. You did the right thing.

Make sure there aren't any unintended consequences of your actions.

1. Don't stop asking and suggesting the company look into new things and provide training. If your boss does any type of performance review or wants feedback on how to make things better, don't give up on this issue.


2. Don't leave your colleagues out of this solution. You're improving your skills and that is good, but be willing to share with others and encourage them to look into new things as well.


3. Don't assume new is always better. Try to learn enough about new technologies to be objective when evaluating them AND make sure they are a good fit for your situation. Hardware may be cheaper than developers in some areas, but embedded isn't always one of them. You have to realistically consider the constraints.

Unfortunately, this may be something you're going to mention in an exit-interview.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 10 '14 at 14:25

user8365

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Don't assume new is always better." - this alone is gold.
  – NotMe
  Sep 10 '14 at 15:37
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

up vote
3
down vote

I think everyone should take responsibility for their own skill development in their career. Ideally, everyone would put more emphasis on working at companies that provide training and employers would get the message. You did the right thing.

Make sure there aren't any unintended consequences of your actions.

1. Don't stop asking and suggesting the company look into new things and provide training. If your boss does any type of performance review or wants feedback on how to make things better, don't give up on this issue.


2. Don't leave your colleagues out of this solution. You're improving your skills and that is good, but be willing to share with others and encourage them to look into new things as well.


3. Don't assume new is always better. Try to learn enough about new technologies to be objective when evaluating them AND make sure they are a good fit for your situation. Hardware may be cheaper than developers in some areas, but embedded isn't always one of them. You have to realistically consider the constraints.

Unfortunately, this may be something you're going to mention in an exit-interview.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 10 '14 at 14:25

user8365

I think everyone should take responsibility for their own skill development in their career. Ideally, everyone would put more emphasis on working at companies that provide training and employers would get the message. You did the right thing.

Make sure there aren't any unintended consequences of your actions.

1. Don't stop asking and suggesting the company look into new things and provide training. If your boss does any type of performance review or wants feedback on how to make things better, don't give up on this issue.


2. Don't leave your colleagues out of this solution. You're improving your skills and that is good, but be willing to share with others and encourage them to look into new things as well.


3. Don't assume new is always better. Try to learn enough about new technologies to be objective when evaluating them AND make sure they are a good fit for your situation. Hardware may be cheaper than developers in some areas, but embedded isn't always one of them. You have to realistically consider the constraints.

Unfortunately, this may be something you're going to mention in an exit-interview.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 10 '14 at 14:25

user8365

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 10 '14 at 14:25

user8365

answered Sep 10 '14 at 14:25

user8365

answered Sep 10 '14 at 14:25

user8365

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Don't assume new is always better." - this alone is gold.
  – NotMe
  Sep 10 '14 at 15:37
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Don't assume new is always better." - this alone is gold.
  – NotMe
  Sep 10 '14 at 15:37
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

"Don't assume new is always better." - this alone is gold.
– NotMe
Sep 10 '14 at 15:37

"Don't assume new is always better." - this alone is gold.
– NotMe
Sep 10 '14 at 15:37

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

You are always the party most responsible for your own professional development. While there is a huge body of knowledge showing that learning organizations are organizations that last; unfortunately, many small companies either don't realize this or don't have the funds to support it.

Because your company falls into this group of "un-learning organizations", you are going to have to build your skillset yourself. Honestly speaking though, its in your best interests to continue to hone your craft. What you don't want to do is get very comfortable with a niche technology for a lengthy period of time. If you do, when that job is no longer there, you will be amazed at how hard it will be to get a new position.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 10 '14 at 15:35

answered Sep 10 '14 at 15:21

Mike Van

2,82021025

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

You are always the party most responsible for your own professional development. While there is a huge body of knowledge showing that learning organizations are organizations that last; unfortunately, many small companies either don't realize this or don't have the funds to support it.

Because your company falls into this group of "un-learning organizations", you are going to have to build your skillset yourself. Honestly speaking though, its in your best interests to continue to hone your craft. What you don't want to do is get very comfortable with a niche technology for a lengthy period of time. If you do, when that job is no longer there, you will be amazed at how hard it will be to get a new position.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 10 '14 at 15:35

answered Sep 10 '14 at 15:21

Mike Van

2,82021025

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

You are always the party most responsible for your own professional development. While there is a huge body of knowledge showing that learning organizations are organizations that last; unfortunately, many small companies either don't realize this or don't have the funds to support it.

Because your company falls into this group of "un-learning organizations", you are going to have to build your skillset yourself. Honestly speaking though, its in your best interests to continue to hone your craft. What you don't want to do is get very comfortable with a niche technology for a lengthy period of time. If you do, when that job is no longer there, you will be amazed at how hard it will be to get a new position.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 10 '14 at 15:35

answered Sep 10 '14 at 15:21

Mike Van

2,82021025

You are always the party most responsible for your own professional development. While there is a huge body of knowledge showing that learning organizations are organizations that last; unfortunately, many small companies either don't realize this or don't have the funds to support it.

Because your company falls into this group of "un-learning organizations", you are going to have to build your skillset yourself. Honestly speaking though, its in your best interests to continue to hone your craft. What you don't want to do is get very comfortable with a niche technology for a lengthy period of time. If you do, when that job is no longer there, you will be amazed at how hard it will be to get a new position.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 10 '14 at 15:35

answered Sep 10 '14 at 15:21

Mike Van

2,82021025

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 10 '14 at 15:35

edited Sep 10 '14 at 15:35

edited Sep 10 '14 at 15:35

answered Sep 10 '14 at 15:21

Mike Van

2,82021025

answered Sep 10 '14 at 15:21

Mike Van

2,82021025

answered Sep 10 '14 at 15:21

Mike Van

2,82021025

2,82021025

suggest improvements | 

suggest improvements |