Professional Development Terms

noun a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading)

• He completed a three-year apprenticeship in carpentry before starting his own business.
• My cousin is doing an apprenticeship at a local mechanic shop to learn the trade.
• I heard that new restaurant is offering an apprenticeship for aspiring chefs.
• Embarking on a new project can feel like starting an apprenticeship in a whole new field.

noun official recognition or commendation

• The committee's approbation of the proposal was a significant milestone for the research team.
• I was thrilled to receive my boss's approbation for completing the project ahead of schedule.
• Getting the approbation from my friends for my new outfit was the confidence boost I needed.
• The artist sought not just fame, but the approbation of his peers for his innovative work.

noun the act of becoming deeper or the state of being deep

verb to make or become deeper

• The training program aims to deepen participants' understanding of the subject matter.
• I want to deepen my knowledge on this topic by doing more research.
• Let's dive in and deepen our skills together.
• Her apology only served to deepen the rift between them.

verb to make an action or process easier or more efficient

• The new software system is designed to facilitate communication between different departments.
• Using this app will facilitate our group project planning.
• Let's use this tool to make things easier and facilitate the process.
• His guidance will facilitate your journey towards success.

noun a task assigned by a teacher to be completed outside of class

• The teacher assigned a substantial amount of homework for the weekend.
• I have a ton of homework to do tonight.
• I'm gonna skip doing my homework and watch Netflix instead.
• Facing the challenges in life is like doing your homework, you have to put in the effort to see results.

noun a lack of competence or ability; insufficiency

adjective inadequate - not sufficient or suitable

• The inadequacy of the existing infrastructure was a major concern for the city planners.
• I can't believe the inadequacy of the wifi signal in this area.
• His excuses for being late were just a cover for his own inadequacy.
• The artist's use of negative space in the painting emphasized the feeling of inadequacy in the subject.

noun a person who is learning something, especially a subject or skill

• The online course is designed to cater to different types of learners.
• I'm more of a hands-on learner, so I prefer practical activities over lectures.
• She's a quick learner, she picked up skateboarding in no time.
• Being a lifelong learner means you never stop growing and improving.

verb to direct one's gaze in a specific direction

preposition used to indicate the direction or object of one's gaze or attention

• When faced with a difficult decision, many people look to experts for guidance.
• If you're not sure what to do, you can always look to me for help.
• When in doubt, just look to your squad for advice.
• In times of uncertainty, it's important to look to the stars for inspiration.

verb to categorize or classify someone or something in a narrow or restrictive way

• I feel like I have been pigeonholed into a specific role at work.
• I hate being pigeonholed into doing the same thing every day.
• I don't want to be pigeonholed into just one category.
• Don't pigeonhole yourself into thinking you can only do one thing in life.

noun a brief account of a person's education, qualifications, and previous experience, typically sent with a job application

verb begin to do or pursue (something) again after a pause or interruption

• I will need to review your resume before scheduling an interview.
• Make sure to update your resume before applying for the job.
• I heard she has a killer resume that landed her the job.
• His determination to succeed was like a well-crafted resume, showcasing his skills and experience.

adjective not prepared or equipped for a particular situation or task

• The team was unready to present their findings to the board.
• I was totally unready for the surprise party they threw me.
• She was so unready for the exam, she didn't even study.
• His mind was unready to accept the truth of what had happened.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adverb a word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun and another word in the sentence

article a word that is used to limit or define a noun

• It is important to always pull the ladder up behind you after completing a task to prevent accidents.
• Hey, don't forget to pull the ladder up behind you when you're done with it.
• Make sure you pull the ladder up behind you so no one trips over it.
• In life, sometimes you have to pull the ladder up behind you to keep moving forward.

verb to become fully informed or knowledgeable about something

preposition to a state of being fully informed or knowledgeable

• Before starting the project, make sure to get up to speed on the latest research findings.
• I need to get up to speed on what's been happening while I was on vacation.
• I'll help you get up to speed on all the gossip around here.
• It took me a while to get up to speed with the new software, but now I'm flying through tasks.

noun The position or role of a convener, someone who organizes or convenes a meeting or event.

• She was appointed to the convenership of the committee after demonstrating exceptional leadership skills.
• He landed the convenership of the project team because he's always the most organized.
• I never expected him to snag the convenership of the group, but he surprised us all.
• Taking on the convenership of the event was like being handed the keys to a well-oiled machine.

noun a large drill used for making holes in the ground or in wood

verb to support the weight of something without breaking

• The law bore the responsibility of upholding justice in society.
• The law bore the consequences of the flawed legal system.
• The law bore the brunt of the criticism for its outdated regulations.
• The law bore the weight of ensuring equality and fairness for all citizens.

noun a type of event where individuals have a short amount of time to introduce themselves and exchange information before moving on to the next person

• The conference will include a session on speed networking to help participants make valuable connections.
• I signed up for speed networking at the event to meet new people quickly.
• I heard speed networking is like networking on steroids, so I'm excited to try it out.
• In the fast-paced world of business, speed networking is like a turbo boost for building professional relationships.

noun the position or role of being an advisor

• The candidate sought advice from his advisorship before making any major decisions.
• She always turns to her advisorship for help with school assignments.
• I'll hit up my advisorship for some tips on acing this class.
• In the world of politics, having a strong advisorship can make or break a career.