PREFACE
This article focus on understanding how a graduate can maximise their return on investment.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest” - Benjamin Franklin.
The single best investment you can make is learning the right things to help you develop good habits; this leads to positive exponential growth. A common mistake is to focus solely on getting fast results rather than outcomes of higher value and growth. Approaches concentrating on quick results can lead to bad habits where the mind is always looking for the shortest path in every situation and provides resistance when there is no easy way to get a result. This resistance limits your approach to problem-solving, weakens your resolve and limits your learning opportunities.
Understanding > Result
If you are in a forest, you might only know one route home, but if you had learned how to navigate you could find the most effective way home no matter what obstacles lay in your path. As the parable illustrates a result orientated approach can potentially limit development and opportunities in both the short and long term.
The Learning process
Learning is a process; learning how to learn effectively and improve yourself is a valuable skill you develop.
Learning = Understanding + Focus + Absorption + Repetition + Application.
Understanding
Knowing the what and why you are going to learn and then the initial grasping of the concept.
Focus
The amount of effort applied/required in processing and grasping a concept. This is really important to understand as it dictates how long an effective the learning period should be (Note: Focus can be increased and hacked).
Absorption
The process of writing information in order to increase skills and abilities and make use of it under a variety of contexts.
Repetition
The process of proving your understanding of the concept.
Application
The process of applying concepts under real conditions to achieve real outcomes.
VAKT
When teaching I utilised VAKT learning style which employs the main sensory receivers: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic (movement) & tactile. The VAKT approach helped me get concepts through to all students in the class and also helped me determine the dominant learning style so that I could be more effective in delivery. As an individual, you may find learning through one of these sensory receivers yields more effective learning outcomes so finding learning material delivered in your preferred format can accelerate your learning (Eg: Video tutorials with an instructor who’s delivery you are comfortable with, written instruction structured in a clear and meaningful way to you).
The Trade
Any transaction whether it be business or in learning requires the trading of resources. As individuals, we have varying amounts of resources (Effort, currency, and knowledge) at any one time.
Resources
We accrue and utilise resource to progress towards an objective.
Effort: The amount of time and energy you can invest in working on a task.
Currency: The funds/ materials you can utilise to progress your endeavour.
Knowledge: The amount of valid information and skills you can apply to the task at hand.
Experience: The result of practically going through a process end to end to achieve a result which leaves an impression of value.
Trade Formulas
Knowledge + Effort = Currency.
Currency + Knowledge = +Effort (Time).
Effort + Currency = Knowledge.
Progress towards objective = Experience%
Reaching an objective = Experience% + Experience completion
The primary resources graduates have at their disposal are effort and currency (Accessible learning materials). When utilised effectively these resources help graduates build knowledge, increase their currency, and gain more experience.
Trade Outcomes
Product/Portfolio = Experience + Knowledge + Currency + Effort = Quality / Time = Result
Process + Result + Critique = Experience
In Practice
Two students, two different paths
Since graduation Simon has spent his time solely focused on getting any job as quickly as possible. In doing so, Simon creates a fast turn around generic portfolio pieces which require the least amount of effort (Plugins, re-skin, etc.) in an attempt to add volume to his portfolio and look knowledgeable.
Meanwhile, Jemma only applies for specific roles related to her particular field of interest and concentrates more heavily on developing the skills, experience, and evidence she needs to progress in their long-term career objective.
A job pops up!
It is both students dream entry-level job, who gets a look in?
Jemma
Why? Even though there is less volume in her portfolio, the work demonstrates focus, dedication, and progression in the specific area which aligns her interests and values with the business's values and objectives.
Conclusion
To be clear, I am not saying lock yourself away and study forever; I am a big fan of people working in the industry as soon as possible as it offers a variety of networking, learning and growth opportunities not replicable any other way. Find the balance and take advantage of the tipping point to maximise your return on investment (See next article on transitioning).
The main point is by playing the infinite game while maintaining a beginners mindset; you can maximise learning opportunities, improve your learning and process while progressing in your career.