How do online communities contribute to professional development?

Originally answered Jul 23, 2018

Here are 10 ways:

1. Gain assistance from others and receive answers to questions
2. Locate subject matter experts and find needed resources
3. Learn more about a topic, keep current on the latest news, and deepen expertise
4. Develop and deliver thought leadership
5. Answer questions and solve problems
6. Develop and provide points of view, proven practices, lessons learned, and examples
7. Share and receive links, insights, lessons learned, tips, tricks, and techniques
8. Develop new and better ways of doing things
9. Connect to others with similar interests and expertise
10. Get assigned to a project

See also Articles and Presentations About Communities of Practice and Community Management