Give Back to Your Profession – Volunteer!
The Return on Investment May Surprise You

Introduction

I must admit that I am old school. I believe in hard work and working hard, and that one's life is eventually best defined by the work accomplished. That is, it's what we do in life that must make a difference – for ourselves and for others (including family, peers and society).

After 30+ years of working on projects and in project management, I fully appreciate the natural cycle of a professional career. That is, after college one usually “gets a job”, with that position more than likely now to involve project work. Over the next five to ten years, one is normally concerned most with learning, promotions and income. If one is working in a professional field or environment that is enjoyable or fulfilling, then after some years a career begins to emerge, with a focus on opportunities for further advancement in that career field. Generally for the first 10 – 15 years, one is focused on income, family and job security.

After 10 years or so, however, many people begin to explore “professional” networks; that is, seeking to learn more about what those in other organizations with similar roles and responsibilities are doing, what are latest trends and developments within the profession, what professional organizations serve the field. For the first 10-15 years or so of a professional career, however, the emphasis should be and normally is on learning – learning how to do a good job, how to maximize performance, how to increase value, and how to adapt new concepts.

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