A seminar or workshop is a group meeting led by an expert that focuses on a specific topic or discipline, which may include business, leadership development, career enhancement, job searches etc. Seminars and workshops are very good platforms where knowledge is imparted, and skills are enhanced. They create avenues for one to learn something new. They are often held over a few days and include a series of presentations, group discussions, and opportunities for participants to contribute their opinions on challenges connected to the subject under consideration.
In addition to reading, attending a seminar or a workshop as a young person is also one of the many reliable avenues you can avail yourself in developing yourself and enhancing your self-worth in every sphere you may find yourself in. In this article, I seek to establish 5 major benefits associated with attending seminars and workshops.
1. Develop dialogue skills
Seminars and workshops provide platforms where one can develop communication skills in the area of dialogue. In most seminars and workshops, the facilitators act as facilitators and not necessarily lecturers. They engage the heart and mind of participants through collective learning. During seminars and workshops, the floor is open for discussion pertaining to the subject matter in a setting that encourages conversation. Such helps participants to become better listeners, present arguments and ideas clearly and be open to others’ points of view. Thus, participating in these conversations contribute to the sharpening of one’s ability to constructively dialogue on issues which is a key area of competence in career development.
2. Fresh ideas, fresh perspectives
As participants share their insights and thoughts on issues in a collective manner, these insights offer fresh perspectives on issues of the common frame. They help participants to discover answers to common problems. In this way, you may end up with a new way of doing things or possibly, new ideas that could serve as catalysts for greater exploits in your area of operation.
3. Networking
Attending seminars and workshops offers you the opportunity to meet and interact with people of diverse backgrounds and levels of the career ladder. This places participants in an advantageous position where you are not only challenged or encouraged to set higher goals, but also, they are offered with potential career opportunities. Here, relationships built during such seminars or workshops can continue into professional connections even after the seminar or workshop is over. When you become a regular participant of seminars and workshops, you will soon realise that these seminars and workshops do not only impart knowledge but also, they connect you with others who can contribute immensely in building your career.
4. Encourage and motivate you
At seminars and workshops, your mind is opened to new ideas and possibilities as you learn about different topics. These motivate you to continue in your business, studies, or whatever venture you are taking, with new zeal. Regular participants of seminars and workshops would testify that after every such exercise, they are poised to aim higher and do more.
5. Learn about new technologies
A fundamental understanding of how new technologies work and how they could be of immense help is a major benefit associated with attending seminars and workshops. You may read books and research on a subject which are in themselves very good avenues for self-development, but nothing compares to having a face-to-face talk with someone about the same topic. As a result, seminars are a fantastic opportunity to broaden your knowledge in best practices and new technologies.
So friend, be on the look for the next seminar and workshop and be willing to be a participant.
Apostle Benedict Eghan is a Minister of the Gospel with The Church of Pentecost and is currently the Resident Minister of Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Tesano. He also doubles as the Personal Assistant to the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye. Read More…