Okay, so I’m a relatively new employee at a company that really seems to push "professional development." I’m trying to figure out what’s actually expected of me. They keep throwing around the terms "mandatory" and "voluntary" professional development, but I’m still a little confused.
Specifically, if something is mandatory, does that mean I have to do it, like attendance is tracked and impacts my performance review? And if so, does my manager choose it for me, or do I still have some input? What kinds of things usually fall under this category?
On the flip side, if it’s voluntary, does that mean I can just totally ignore it without any negative consequences? Are there any benefits to doing voluntary professional development beyond just, you know, self-improvement? Does participating in voluntary PD actually look good to my manager, and if so, how do I make sure they know I’m doing it? I’m interested in advancing my career, so I want to make the right choices.
Answer
Mandatory and voluntary professional development differ primarily in their required nature and the motivations behind participation.
Mandatory Professional Development:
- Requirement: As the name implies, mandatory professional development is required by an employer, a licensing board, or some other governing body. Employees or professionals in a specific field are obligated to participate to maintain their employment, certification, license, or professional standing.
- Motivation: The primary motivation for participation stems from external pressure to meet prescribed standards, regulations, or legal requirements. This type of professional development is often seen as a compliance issue.
- Content and Structure: The content and structure of mandatory professional development are typically predetermined by the mandating organization. This ensures uniformity and adherence to specific standards or training objectives. These are intended to address identified gaps in skill or knowledge. Topics are usually directly relevant to job performance, safety regulations, ethical conduct, or new industry standards.
- Attendance and Completion: Attendance and completion of mandatory professional development are closely monitored. Failure to comply can result in penalties ranging from warnings to suspension or termination of employment or loss of professional credentials. Proof of participation, such as certificates or transcripts, is usually required.
- Examples: Common examples include continuing medical education (CME) for physicians, continuing legal education (CLE) for lawyers, safety training in hazardous industries, diversity and inclusion training mandated by companies, and ethics training required by professional organizations. Teacher training in many districts is required for licensure renewal.
- Scope: Tends to focus on immediate job-related skills, regulatory updates, or compliance issues.
Voluntary Professional Development:
- Requirement: Voluntary professional development is undertaken at the individual’s discretion. Participation is not enforced by an external authority or employer.
- Motivation: Individuals engage in voluntary professional development out of intrinsic motivation, a desire for self-improvement, career advancement, personal enrichment, or to stay current with advancements in their field.
- Content and Structure: Individuals have significant autonomy in selecting the type of voluntary professional development they pursue. They can choose topics that align with their interests, career goals, or perceived skill gaps. The format can range from attending conferences and workshops to reading industry publications, taking online courses, or pursuing advanced degrees.
- Attendance and Completion: There are typically no formal attendance requirements or penalties for non-participation. Completion is driven by the individual’s commitment and personal goals.
- Examples: Examples include attending a conference on a new technology, reading a book on leadership, taking an online course to learn a new software program, participating in a mentorship program, or pursuing a master’s degree.
- Scope: Scope is broader. Individuals can develop skills in an area outside of their immediate job requirements to pursue career advancement.
Key Differences Summarized:
| Feature | Mandatory Professional Development | Voluntary Professional Development |
|---|---|---|
| Requirement | Required by employer, licensing board, or other authority | Undertaken at individual’s discretion |
| Motivation | External pressure to meet standards/regulations | Intrinsic motivation, self-improvement, career advancement |
| Content and Structure | Predetermined by mandating organization | Chosen by the individual based on interests and goals |
| Attendance/Completion | Monitored; failure to comply has consequences | No formal requirements or penalties |
| Purpose | Compliance, adherence to standards, addressing skill gaps | Self-improvement, career growth, staying current |
