Life Long Learning Paper

Brandy Hutchinson

Life-long Learning

Lifelong learning is an interesting topic to discuss; and one that I am glad that we can spend time talking about. In this paper I will define lifelong learning, what it means to me, and how it corresponds with a career in SHM. I will include different examples, as well as discuss how I will respond to the increasing changes in my field of work and how I plan on learning new things without sources of formal training, and last but not least the certifications I intend to pursue after my college education to further my knowledge and experience in my career field.

By definition, lifelong learning is the provision or use of both formal and informal learning opportunities throughout people’s lives in order to foster the continuous development and improvement of knowledge and skills needed for employment and personal fulfillment (dictionary.com). This definition is somewhat difficult to decipher, but non-the less can be easy to understand. To me, lifelong learning has everything to do with the concept of “continuous improvement”. I especially like how in the definition it says, “using both formal and informal opportunities”, as it addresses our everyday living situations. We are not limited to learning opportunities, at work we are offered formal trainings and have to keep up with our certifications, outside of work we have informal opportunities to learn, also known as life experiences. For example, changing a light-bulb the proper way, using a ladder rather than a chair. Learning includes a trial and error process to gain those lifelong learning skills.

Lifelong learning is essential in the safety and health management career field in various ways. Thus including but not limited to continuing your education, getting and maintaining certifications, on the job lifelong learning experiences, etc. Doing some research on osha.gov’s cite, I have found many continuous educational opportunities and endless certifications I can receive. There are also many ways outside resources can help me stay up to date and continue to keep up with the fast changing industry my line of work entails. A couple certifications I came across on OSHA’s website were the ABOHN (American board for occupational health nurses), ABIH (American board of industrial hygiene), BCSP (Board of Certified Safety Professionals), and ISHM (Institute for the Safety and Health Management). These are some but not all of the certifications I am able to gain to keep my knowledge up to date and ready for any rapid changes. As you can see there are a vast variety of things I can do to stay on track.

I also took it upon myself to look up outside resources and how they affect lifelong learning experiences. One was the Human Resources department. Many people think that HR has