by Rebecca Sprigg

On my way into the office, I drive by two elementary schools, which are back in session this week. I’ve long been curious about the racks of jackets in front of each school. Each rack is empty now, but they fill up as the school year progresses.

I wondered if the jackets were outgrown and traded, but last fall one of the school administrators explained, “No. The kids forget them in the classroom, the cafeteria, or on the playground.”

I asked, “So the children or their parents pick them up later?”

“No,” she said. “Once they’re taken off and forgotten, they are never reclaimed.”

There’s something about the carefree abandon of youth in that image. Children are constantly discovering something new. They try things, make mistakes, forget things, and move on. They don’t spend much time worrying about whether yesterday’s version of themselves is still relevant.

Maybe there’s something for the rest of us to learn from that.

As we move through our careers, we should be willing to outgrow things, too—not just jackets, but assumptions, habits, skills, and even ideas about who we are and what we’re capable of doing.

Learning is one of the best ways to keep a career moving forward

And in public service, there are opportunities to learn everywhere. A new software system, a change in state or federal regulations, a different approach to community engagement, a new budgeting technique, or a project outside your usual area of responsibility—each one is a chance to add to what you know.

You can create your own opportunities. If you notice a problem in your organization, learn more about it. If another department is doing something particularly well, ask if you can observe or help. If you aspire to a different position, look at the skills it requires and start building them now.

You don’t necessarily have to enroll in a formal class

Ask a colleague to show you how they do something. Volunteer for a project that stretches your skills. Attend a conference or webinar. Read something outside your immediate area of expertise. Take advantage of the training your employer offers—even when the subject isn’t directly related to your current job.

Learning is particularly valuable when you’re looking for your next job. It gives you something new to talk about in an interview and something current to add to your résumé. More importantly, it demonstrates curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to grow—qualities every employer needs.

Last spring, at the end of the school year, I noticed that all the jackets had disappeared. The administrator told me they’d been gathered up and donated to families in need.

I like that. Those jackets weren’t wasted. They simply found a new purpose.

Maybe that’s a useful way to think about our careers, too. We don’t have to hold on to everything we’ve always known or always done. We can learn something new, leave something behind, and make room for what comes next.

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What’s something you’re learning right now? We’d love to hear about it—reach out anytime at info@mynpsj.com.