When considering ways to advance one’s career, many think first about specific technical skills or work-related certifications as important assets. Now here’s a surprise, many of the most valuable skills can be developed outside of traditional conference rooms and industry seminars. Even classes seen as hobbies or personal pursuits may provide unexpectedly beneficial skills in professional environments. From honing creativity to strengthening social dynamics, unconventional courses and classes can set you apart in the workplace without even realizing it. Here are a few that may not seem relevant at first but can ultimately contribute to professional advancement.
Improv Comedy Classes for Communication and Teamwork
Improv comedy classes provide the ideal setting to cultivate quick thinking, adaptability and effective communication, something many struggle with. These skills are indispensable when it comes to leading meetings, handling unexpected challenges of managing conflict at work. Improv teaches participants collaborative idea generation, something which is useful during brainstorming sessions or team projects. Also, getting out of your comfort zone through taking an improv class can boost confidence immensely. Once you’ve handled comedy sketches in front of complete strangers it becomes much easier delivering presentations or speaking up at meetings.
CPR Classes
Taking CPR classes is an invaluable life-saving skill that should be learned as soon as possible, regardless of its use in a workplace, home or public setting. Emergencies often occur quickly in any location where instant action may be needed. Understanding CPR will make all the difference when every second counts. These classes not only teach life saving techniques such as chest compressions and rescue breaths, but they also equip people to remain calm under high-pressure situations while acting quickly. Beyond teaching life saving techniques they also build confidence as participants learn responsibility.
Art and Photography Classes as Creative Problem Solvers
Artsy pursuits not only sharpen your craft, they develop your ability to think outside the box, an invaluable skill in virtually every industry. As creativity helps form innovative solutions to problems. Painting, photography or adult coloring classes encourage divergent thinking which allows multiple perspectives when approaching work challenges such as product design, marketing campaigns or customer service issues. Experimenting with composition or blending colors could even spark ideas for visually engaging presentations or materials.
Cooking Classes for Leadership and Decision-Making
Cooking classes provide more than a delicious culinary experience. They also teach planning, timing and multitasking, invaluable skills that translate well to any workplace environment. Cooking under pressure, either professional kitchen or at home, mimics decision-making and adaptability required in fast-paced work environments. Taking leadership during group cooking lessons may teach you how to motivate a team, delegate tasks to each member and ensure everyone works cohesively while staying on time for deadlines (or dinnertime). Culinary expertise may make networking events or office potlucks even more interesting.
Public Speaking or Debate Groups for Persuasion Skills
Public speaking skills may not appear on your job description but can have a major effect on how people view you at work. Joining Toastmasters, signing up for debate club membership, or enrolling in courses focused on persuasive communication can go a long way towards building confidence and strengthening persuasive arguments. Not only do these courses teach how to talk in front of an audience but they teach persuasive arguments that sound convincing. Building these skills will enable you to present ideas more convincingly when pitching clients or rallying colleagues around cause, making you more effective and influential professionals.
Yoga or Meditation Classes for Stress Management
While attending yoga class might initially appear like an attempt at personal relaxation, its benefits extend far beyond that. Stress is one of the main contributors to reduced productivity and job satisfaction. Learning techniques to control it could make a real difference to both. Yoga requires discipline, focus, self-awareness and decision-making skills which translate into improved emotional intelligence and decision-making capabilities at work. Meditation courses offer mindfulness techniques designed to keep calm during high pressure situations. Together they ensure you maintain an even keel while channeling your energy toward professional growth.
Conclusion
Next time you’re tempted to write off a “fun” course as unrelated to work, don’t make that assumption. These non-work-related classes could enrich your professional skill set in unexpected ways. By venturing outside your comfort zone and exploring interests beyond your industry, these non-work-related classes could expand the depth and breadth of your abilities in ways that set you apart in the workplace. You may even discover something you love outside work as much. Learning doesn’t stop with job descriptions, learning can occur anywhere. Theater performances, kitchen workshops, yoga studio classes, don’t be intimidated from exploring. Who knows where it might lead.