This paper establishes the determinants of professionals' postgraduate training needs. A quantitative survey of a sample of 492 professionals from Valle del Cauca, Colombia was conducted. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to verify the research hypotheses. The results show that the factors affecting the need for…

Several contexts and themes of professionalism are considered including the nature of "professional issues," professionalism, and writing about professional issues. The professional issues discussed are the socio-political and cultural contexts, systems, employment, career development, relationships with other professionals, and the self. Next, I…

A model predicting relationships between professional expertise and three variables (social networks, training and development, individual career initiatives) was tested with data from 420 higher-level employees and 224 supervisors. Results showed differences in three career/age stages and significant contributions of training and individual…

A survey of 70 professional women returning to work after updating courses found that their jobs were not necessarily commensurate with qualifications, experience, or professional area. However, 58% still considered their careers had progressed, and many attributed successful reentry to the updating course. Flexibility was an important factor in…

The question of what determines the appropriate use of self-directed learning (SDL) as opposed to teacher-directed learning (TDL) for midcareer professionals was examined through a review of the literature on SDL, SDL in professional development, and through interviews with 12 midcareer adults in a wide variety of professions. In general, the…