The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

The US Army used to have this slogan: “Be All You Can Be” as a recruiting enticement because it knew many young people really did not have an idea of what their future held - or what they wanted it to hold for them.

Many people feel it is the obligation of their employer to help them develop their career. Human Resource professionals know that employers with strong employee development programs have a distinct advantage in recruiting and retaining talent.

However, employers like that are scare. Employees with drive and self-motivation will not have to wait for their employer to act but can use this course to chart their own self-development.

The concepts presented here will get the learner off to a safe start in developing their career while gaining experience regardless if the organization is public, private, or volunteer. We say “safe” as in avoiding errors that can create problems now or in the future. The model for this course is the typical high school drivers’ education program where (in theory) you learn just enough to start driving safely with minimal risk to yourself and others while you gain knowledge and experience.

Think of this course as an experienced mentor to help them understand the workplace from a position of “been there, done that” to guide their development in a logical sequence of looking inward at themselves before looking outward at the world around them.

While we do not pretend it will guarantee career success, we will promise that the learner will address many of key issues that business authors and thinkers have identified as critical for professional growth. There is a suggested reading list at the end of the course for those who want to get more deeply into the topics presented here.

The student will take a multiple choice quiz of forty (40) questions to earn PDH credit for this course.

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).