Out in the real world I was so lucky to have an amazing boss who saw that I was more interested in systems and technologies and created a job for me based on those interests. Could not have asked for a more awesome mentor. Essentially what I ended up doing was very akin to SEO - without my realising that such a thing existed. My fantastic boss then encouraged me to move overseas and undertake further study in the field but more importantly to have the opportunity to network - I prefer to call it socialising as it inevitably involves a bar : )

I guess I am a strange mix of having done some aspects of theoretical study in SEO (modules such as Web IR - purely search engine retrieval; latent semantic indexing and infometrics - all of which are viewed as being horribe crass and profit driven newcomers by the true library academics) and someone who also recognises that serving an ‘apprenticeship’ is the only way to truly learn any craft. In particular one as arcane and dynamic as SEO.

SEO styled subjects are filtering through into degree courses yet as Lisa said without the passion they are just another module. It is that passion and curiousity which should drive those with a real interest to seek out apprenticeships and be continually learning through playing, failing and above all doing.

@Julie - I’m just putting together my expenses and I have no idea where I spent half this money!

I ran up quite a few big bills with my cranberry vodkas. I am not in a happy mood, looking at my credit card statement.

I really do believe in the networking so I’ll suck it up and pay when I have to because THAT is when you meet the people who’ll educate you, and THAT is when you’ll make the friends that you can call on when you have no idea what’s going on.

@Anita- I am hoping the day will never come that the skill is learned through something so ancient like a text book. For myself, I read so many ebooks but don’t find the “goods” there.

@Lisa- I completely agree, without passion, there is no survival here. But how can somebody doing this work not be passionate?! It’s so stimulating!! Or maybe that’s because we are geeks. But seriously, everyone I know in the industry is always excited about the 24 hour a day job we have..

@Judith- I definitely agree that “on the job training” is essential in most jobs. I mean, what job can you walk into already having 100% of the skills? I had no idea you were a couples therapist? That must have been challenging…. but probably not as exciting as SEO.

@Julie- I think Laurel was a girl I knew in Highschool. And what you said is right. Something I forgot to mention is the importance of attending conferences, and as we all know, this can run up bills big time (if you are self supporting)… but it is required for longevity in the field… The learning, the sessions, the networking…(ahem- Drinking)…it can’t be missed!!

Considering the fact that this industry continues to evolve, even when you’re a fairly seasoned SEO you’re still learning and having to stay on top of things. No one in the field can afford to rest on his or her laurels. What are laurels anyway?

Again, very nice job and welcome to writing here!

And great to leave questions to be answered.

I think that *ALL* jobs require on the job training. I have a specialised honours degree in psychology with clinical counselling and couples therapy as specializations but I still had to do on the job training before I could handle clients on my own.

The same is true for SEO as it is for conference management as it is for HR as it is for everyone - on the job training is essential.

I think that skilled courses will soon replace apprenticeships but on the job training will never go out of “fashion”

BRILL post!

I think that apprenticeship(jedi training) is very much valid still, and always will be. When I first started out in the industry I had no one to lead me, no one to learn from (poor little me lol) BUT I found my jedi master(s) through SEOmoz. I read every blogpost, commented, asked a million of questions etc. But I think THE most important factor of learning, anything, is having the PASSION! If you care about what you do and want to learn, you will!

I came back from maternity leave 3 years ago and knew NOTHING about SEO, my company (Base One) wanted to learn more about it and put me in the position as SEM Manager and said off you go! I LOVE a challenge, and after sitting at home for 9 months changing nappies and going for “mother” lunches my brain was in DESPERATE need of thinking again. It didn’t take long before I got really interested in Search, and as soon as the passion for it kicked in….I was off!

So in short I think learning from others are key, and having at least 1 person you can talk to and feel comfortable asking any ridiculous questions too is vital. BUT most of all you need to have the PASSION for it!

Again Stephanie, brilliant post, you rock!

The real mastership, however, can only come through practice, because this industry/’craft’ changes so rapidly, that no textbook, or manufactured course can keep up with the changes - we have to learn on the job.

For the time being, my answer would be that, the best way to become a great SEO is to learn on the job, and never fall behind on the current situation regarding the skill.

Later on, and who knows that day may never come, as the industry evolves, it may be that things slow down enough for academics to pin down SEO in a text book.

Hard to imagine that any of us will conform though…