Questions: Your Education

About Questions

Questions is a category designed to help technicians who are already working in the field figure out if their place of employment is getting it done for them.

How does your family feel about your continued education…or lack of one?

Do you have a degree in your field?

Does your company offer educational programs on the technical, non-technical aspects and safety related aspects of your work?

Does your company offer any incentives for completing educational programs?

Does your company offer help in creating an educational plan for you?

Does your company have a dedicated classroom for teaching?

Is there a time line related to this plan?

How do you see your education developing over the next three, five, ten and twenty years?

If your manager is not involved in your educational program, is there anyone else who holds you accountable?

Can one of your coworkers who has been at your company longer than you, describe the journey he has taken to date through your company’s educational program?

Is it a positive one?

How many times per year do you meet with your manager to discuss your educational plan?

How many times during the year do you drop your manager a note updating him on your educational progress?

Can you describe your manager’s educational philosophy?

What do you wish your manager’s educational philosophy was?

Can you describe the educational philosophy of the owner of your company?

Do you have a personal educational plan?

Does your educational plan include the care of your health, your finances, your home, your family, your relationships, your spirit and things you do for recreation?

Do you have your educational material organized at home?

Do you have educational material organized in your truck?

Do you keep a learning notebook?

What is your first, second and third best learning styles?

Is your manager aware of these?

Does your company pay for educational programs?

Is there a dedicated director of education at your company?

Do you pay for your own educational programs, taken on your own time?

Does your company cover your labor while you participate in educational programs?

How many hours per year does your company pay for education? (meetings where your manager talks about policies and procedures do not count) Is this total somewhere between 80 and 120 hours?

Do you subscribe to any trade journals (online or in print)?  Does your manager?

Do you read them?

Do you know where to precisely go online for education in the various aspects of your work?

Do you have educational program schedules from the leading vendors in your town?

Does anyone from your company participate with local vocational technology schools?

Do you have educational program schedules from the various industry manufacturers?

Is your manager aware of these schedules?

Can you name the coaches, teachers or consultants in your industry, who are at the top of their game in their various fields of expertise?

Can you name the folks who are teaching legends in your industry?

Is there anyone in your industry who has been through an educational journey who you really admire?

Have you spoken to that person?

Do you belong to any trade associations?

Are there any industry related educational events (like HVAC Comfortech) during the course of the year that are available to you?

Do you attend?

Do you participate in any online field-related communities?

Do you ever have conversations with your coworkers about education related to your profession?

Does your employer offer educational programs that are not directly related to your profession?

Do you attend educational programs that are not directly related to your profession?

Do you have a method for generating ideas?

Do you have a method for increasing your creativity?

While away attending educational programs do make an effort to meet others who participate?

Do you discuss things with these folks related to the various classes and your educational journeys?

Do you stay in touch with these folks?

Is there a coworker at your company who helps you out over the phone when you encounter a problem?

Does this person give you the answer or does he try to teach you through it?

Are your customers aware of your educational accomplishments and intentions?

Do you have an account with your local library?