“There's nothing like having a community, especially when you are trying to learn new stuff.”
In the past month, I have been trying to learn something really technical and way out of my usual field. Of course, I started with resources online and was getting along with the lessons until it came to implementation (building actual projects), and I got stuck sometimes.
You know how our maths teacher tells us 2+7 is 9. Then goes ahead to give us an assignment of 1/2 + 3.479 ÷ 5 - 0.79. 😂
In this situation, you are torn between just answering to the tune of your knowledge (and risking getting it wrong) or going to rub minds with your classmates (community) to solve the equation.
In my situation, I had a few friends unblock me for some time but eventually couldn't continue as they had their jobs to focus on. And I, on the other hand, couldn't proceed with my learning process as I would have loved to.
It dawned on me that what I needed was a community. Specifically, a community of learners like myself or of experts in the field who would not mind explaining things more intricately to foster my learning process.
In the last newsletter from Precious, she weighed the opinion of some tech professionals on the concept of being part of a community. One thing stood out in all their responses: with a community, you have access to vast resources and professionals who are willing to assist how they can?
Why?
These individuals have voluntarily decided to be part of the community to contribute their wealth of knowledge and expertise.
Something also struck me for all the respondents. They all consented that if given the option, they will prefer to work with professionals who are part of a community than one who is a solo player. In their words;
“there is no limit to the vast amount of resources a community affords you.”
And of course, it is easier to recommend and get recommended for gigs when you are part of a community. Members of your community trust your expertise and will gladly recommend you for positions you might never have come across if you weren't aligned with them as part of a community.
Are you part of any professional community?
How has it helped your life and career journey?
Please share with me in the comments section.
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