Recently TrainUp voices hit its 50th article mark! I’m so excited to have reached our first milestone, however, I realize it’s just a drop of water in the ocean compared to what is still yet to come.

It is an occasion I would like to mark however and use as an opportunity to reflect. You see, 50 blogs ago I had no idea the position I’d find myself in. When I began as an author for TrainUp voices, I didn’t know I’d ever make it this far and enjoy the journey so much. I started out with the expectation of writing things that related to TrainUp.com. Okay, that’s fine, right? I thought, “Okay cool, my boss thinks I can write well and is letting me publish something… Let’s see where this goes”. However, I didn’t realize the full scope of what I was involved in. It is so much bigger than me and the other authors. It’s so much more than I had ever expected.

female hands with pen writing on notebook

When writing content on behalf of TrainUp.com, I quickly realized that the goal is to share unique perspectives, solve problems, and to deliver interesting and helpful information to the public- all with a training related spin on it of course as that is our expertise. I had to work hard to expand my own mental scope and learn to see things in new ways. I learned to find the things that are helpful to our audience. I’m glad that management gave me this opportunity, and while I grow with this company I get to share those experiences with you! My goal was, as it remains, to deliver high quality and relevant content that not only informs but helps to bridge the knowledge gap between our subject matter experts and our customers. I seek to connect with our customers in an active way and share the insights I gain from being here.

Steve Jobs said this perfectly, “You have to start with the customer experience and work backward to the technology”. Regardless of the specific context surrounding this quote, my interpretation of it is that even in an advancing technical world, customers always come first. Therefore the connection you make with them is everything.

I am surrounded by instructors and speakers every day, all with useful messages to share. I am surrounded by instructors and speakers every day, all with useful messages to share. I’m fortunate enough to work alongside experts that have been in this industry for years and know everything there is to know about getting real value from training. I’m spending my days in an office where we are developing new and innovative solutions with the latest in learning technology. I’m lucky! I realize this is an amazing platform from which I can share a number of unique ideas, and tell stories.

As one creator of TrainUp’s blog content, I’m simply offering my voice. I can only hope that readers like what I have to contribute. There is a lot that I don’t know, a lot that I still have to learn. However, my voice is nothing if not a vessel for the lessons that I have learned so far from my mentors and peers. This is something I cherish and something I’m seeing more and more as an instrumental strength.

I have grown over the last 50 articles, like our readers I too learn from every installment I write. I’m evolving through this outlet and the fact that I’m always searching for new focuses to write about. Since beginning writing for Trainup.com in 2016, I have gained so much from our trainers, from the professionals I have interviewed, from the senior staff here at Trainup.com, and from customers! I have picked the brains of University professors, and guest speakers at countless events. The most important thing I have learned so far, however, is that being “human” is often a good quality, and that honest insight is priceless.

As I continue on this path I’m honored to share my voice with you. I’d also like to invite you to do the same. Our subject matter experts, instructors, and partners at TrainUp.com can all contribute to TrainUp Voices. If you would like to write about unique training experiences, insights, and interesting topics relating to your area expertise, get in touch with me to find out how you can lend your voice to the next 50 articles!