How do you keep up to date during the summer?

Summer is around the corner, how do you stay up to date, even when you or your colleagues go on holiday? How do you make sure you won't fall behind in September? Find out in this article.

Tempratures are running up and people are sitting outside in the sun - it's time for summer. This means time for vacation, trips to the beach, sitting outside in the garden until late at night but mainly: a shift from work to relaxation.

Taking a holiday works miracles on our brain. It's easier for us to focus after we've relaxed first. Summer is a time for people to take a step back: time to recharge until the start of the year so they can start off fresh. You can let decisions you took in the previous year sink in and your colleagues might be on holiday, so you have time to catch up with tasks that have been delayed.

But even in summer, it's important to stay up to date. Cloud environments are continuously updated, cyber criminals probably won't take the summer off and vendors will still release new software. It might feel like time is standing still, but in reality that's not true.

Keep developing yourself this summer

Don't stop learning during summer - but don't exaggerate, no one expects you to sit in the classroom the entire summer. Keep the bar low: read about something that interests you for example. This doesn't have to take place during your holiday, you can also take some time to do this during a slow week at the office.

In this article by Global Knowledge you will find various ways to stay up-to-date this summer. Accessible, easy and relaxed.

Get your read on!

Feet in the pool, ice cold drink in your hand - time to read. You can read a good book anywhere (yes, even from your floatation device in the pool) and it decreases stress, according to this research by the University of Sussex from 2009. Reading takes you somewhere else.

Books on IT topics don't have to be boring - take The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim for example. This DevOps classic teaches you the ways of this method via a novel. And once you've read the Phoenix Project, you can move onto The Unicorn Project. Don't feel like reading? Order the book as an audio book.

There is a variety of other IT books you can read, but books like 'The subtle art of not giving a f*ck' are just as valueable, especially for those of us who have a hard time letting go of the stress of their job when they are on holiday. The choice is your, but a small search at your favorite bookstore will take you far.

Listen to a podcast

Not big on reading? Listen to a podcast. By listening to a podcast, you remain up-to-date with new developments in your area of expertise and listening to a podcast can fuel new ideas. Ideas you can take back to work after you holiday is done.

Take The Edge by Skillsoft for example. This is a podcast that helps professionals find their 'Edge' - the point in their career where they are challenged and balanced at the same time. Think about what David Bowie said: ‘Always go a little further into the water than you feel you're capable of being. Go a little bit out of your depth and when you don't feel your feet are quite touching the bottom, you're just about in the right place to do something exciting.’ Listen to The Edge via the player below. 

Would you rather learn about DevOps? Listen to the podcast about DevOps by Global Knowledge below.

Attend a webinar

Sumemr clears up our schedule. This means you have time to catch up with work you have fallen behind on, but also to attend a webinar. Most webinars take no more than an hour or a part of your morning of afternoon. This means you have enough time to finish your work afterwards. If you have a good internet connection, you can even attend a webinar from your holiday destination.

Global Knowledge organizes webinars often - about technology by Microsoft and Amazon Web Services for example, but we also give brain training. Don't miss our webinars - sign up for our e-mails.

Take Global Knowledge with you, attend an e-Learning

Once you have attended a webinar, listened to a podcast and read a book - it's time for the next step. You might consider a training course, but maybe you can't because you don't have the time.

Have you considered an e-Learning? The e-Learnings of Global Knowledge bring flexibility - ou decide when and where you learn. Use official course material by Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, EC-Council or VMware for example. Most e-Learnings grant access for a longer period of time, so if you don't get around to using it this summer. you can always get into the e-learning later in the year.

Book a discounted e-Learning or subscription

Booking an e-Learning is extra interesting this summer: if you book an e-Learning or subscription at Global Knowledge, you will receive 15% off. That's a Happy Summer!

Find the on-demand learning solution to fit your situation via the button below. You don't have to enter a promotion code for the subscription or e-Learning of your choice, the discount has been taken out of the price. Take the knowledge of Global Knowledge with you this summer.