What can you do to maximize your experience and get the most out of a training session? Here are some tips to help you prepare for your future training sessions:

Before a Training Session

• If your course offers resources prior to the workshop, go through them. By doing this you will have an idea of what to expect, and if anything you were hoping to learn is missing, you can address it during the session.

• Some courses ask you to fill out a pre-workshop survey.  It is important for you take the time to complete it as it gives you the opportunity to share what your expectations are, and what outcomes you are looking for.

During a Training Session

• If the instructors of the course make themselves available, take advantage of this, especially if they are subject matter experts.  Whether you have access to them during lunch or coffee breaks, use it as an opportunity to ask questions and discuss topics of importance.

• Don’t worry about how much experience you have.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been working in your industry for 1, 5, 15, or 30 years; there is always an opportunity to learn something new.  Mixing a wide range of ideas together will give way for a great learning experience.

• Ask questions and share your experiences.  There is a good chance you aren’t the only one with a specific question. But if you are, it gives others the opportunity to learn something new.  Share your experiences, and be open to hearing others.  Things that have worked for others may not work perfectly for you, but you may learn something new to integrate into your organization.

After a Training Session

• Take advantage of everything that is offered to you.  If you are given a resource booklet or a set of templates, comb through them and see what is useful to you.  You may already have resources of your own, but the course examples may have updated information that could be a helpful modification to yours.

• If there is a follow-up, or addition to a workshop, use it.  For example, if there is an online component where you can continue to access resources or ask questions, take full advantage of this.  With an online forum to share your experiences after the workshop, you will have a chance to see what worked for others, and what didn’t.

Training shouldn’t be a one day event; it should be an on-going learning process. It will not only benefit the organization you work for, but it will enhance your career.