Working as a Peer you have likely found your own rhythm in working with clients. From client appointments to charting, you’ve started to get settled within your role as a Peer! Once you’ve become comfortable with the day-to-day, you can start focusing on how to develop your professional skills as a Peer. As with any profession, working to develop your skills is necessary to grow within your role. At Kyros, we see the incredible value that Peers bring to clients’ lives every day – and we’re
At Kyros, we see the incredible value that Peers bring to clients’ lives every day – and we’re
committed to offering professional and fulfilling roles to every Peer that works with us. As part of this commitment, we’re providing you with all the tools you need to hone your skills and start growing your professional landscape. In this post, we’re covering what professional development is, why it’s important and offer a few ways that you can start working on evolving your skills!
What is Professional Development?
Professional development is improving yourself through learning and training to advance your career. There are various different ways you can develop your skills professionally, whether it be directly through your place of employment or finding opportunities to do so independently. Working to better yourself in a professional environment can benefit your overall work experience, and those you work with.
Professional development is improving yourself through learning and training to advance your career.
As a Peer, developing your professional skills can give you the tools to work more effectively. The more confident and capable you are as a Peer, the better you will be able to reach your clients. Growing in your role as a Peer is important not only because it benefits those you work with, but it opens up opportunities for you as well. Keep reading to find out more about the importance of professional development.
Why is Professional Development Important?
There are countless benefits when growing as a professional. Besides developing new skills that you can use on a daily basis, professional development can benefit all areas of your professional life.
Continue on your career track
As a Peer at Kyros, you can advance to various positions. In Minnesota for example, you are required to complete a set amount of continuing education (CEU) credits to move into the role of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Reciprocal (CPRS-R). There will be different opportunities available in each state, and this will require you to grow your skill set within your role.
Gain confidence in your work
Having more tools in your belt means feeling more confident in the work you’re doing. We’ve all experienced being new at something, and sometimes lacking the confidence to perform our best. Feeling confident in your abilities is key to being an effective Peer!
Open yourself up to more opportunities
Whether within your current role as a Peer or in a future role, the more skills you know the more indispensable you will be in your position. People who continue to work on their professional development prove that they are committed to growing within a role even after they have gotten it – this demonstrates qualities like good work ethic and signals to potential employers that you are a driven professional.
Five Ways to Develop Your Professional Skills Today
Continuing Education opportunities
While many states require you to obtain continuing education (CEU) hours to maintain your active certification, these are incredible opportunities for professional development. Continuing education opportunities can be in the form of informational sessions, keynote speakers, events and more. We created a CEU resource with continuously updated opportunities, check it out here.
Seek out new responsibilities within your current position
Reach out to your supervisor about advancement opportunities. If you’re working as a CPRS in the state of Minnesota – have you received your Reciprocal? Supervisor status? Are there new programs you’d like to work within? Supervisors are a great resource, and can steer you in the direction of your next steps to grow as a professional.
Take a general training course
Training courses, often offered free online, are a great way to add to your hard skills. Hard skills are any skills that can be used on the job, for example:
- Writing
- Public speaking
- Computer
- Management
The above skills can be used in many different fields, seek out a couple free courses that can increase your hireability in any position.
Find an opportunity to represent your Peers
Working as a CPRS as Kyros, there are many opportunities to show up as a representative of our Peer workforce! We frequently attend recovery events, have opportunities to share your recovery story, and more. Get in tune with the recovery community events happening near you and find an opportunity to represent your community!
Read a book
Looking to develop your people skills? Try out a book that dives into interpersonal relationships! There are books for just about anything – and they’re a great way to commit to your professional growth on your own time.
Keep Adding to Your Toolkit
It’s important to continue your growth trajectory as a professional
Professional development will always be relevant, in any industry and in any role. It’s important to continue your growth trajectory as a professional, and become more well-rounded as a Peer. Finding opportunities for professional evolution will continue to prove useful along your career track, keep reading to get started growing your abilities now.
Find Professional Development Opportunities Today!
Looking for CEU opportunities? Check out our resource page. You can find even more opportunities through our monthly newsletter – be sure to check your inbox on the first of the month for community events, professional development opportunities and more!
Sources:
Indeed. “What is Professional Development? Definition and Examples.” Indeed, 2023.
Accessed 21 April 2023.
