Many workers today can no longer rely solely on static expertise to perform their roles, yet they often lack formal learning opportunities to adapt quickly. They become working learners who are continuously learning to perform their tasks. They are workers who learn in the flow of their work.

Significant research has been conducted on workplace learning programs such as professional development, workforce development, mentorship, apprenticeship, etc. However, less is known about how workers rapidly acquire new skills informally and evolve in their dynamic workplaces. One reason might be that we often mistake this as "working." By recognizing it as working and learning, we gain a deeper understanding of how to support these informal, context-specific learning moments. 

This study explores how individuals rapidly acquire new skills through semi-structured interviews with 15 strategy consultants at a prominent global consulting firm during their first two weeks transitioning into novel roles.  The participants all represented a particular microcosm of working learners - strategy consultants at one of the most prominent global strategy consulting firms. Within a single year, these consultants perform a variety of different roles, often without prior experience or specific training, yet must deliver high-quality results as measured by client feedback and acceptance of their work products. The firm's culture also emphasizes continuous learning, staying current with the latest trends, and using best practices to meet client expectations for innovative solutions. This unique context highlights how networked learning and in-the-flow-of-work strategies allow individuals to address novel demands and maintain expertise in a fast-paced environment. 

An abductive thematic analysis reveals how digital tools and resources afford strategy consultants many opportunities to agentively engage in rapid learning - including accessing experts, collaborating with others, and iterating intentionally. Crucially, findings highlight that strong relationships with experienced colleagues amplify these digital affordances, enhancing consultants' ability to quickly adapt and rapidly learn. These findings can help learning and development practitioners to emphasize a broader view of learning in the flow of work -  that both supports the use of digital tools while ensuring that it is used alongside, in service of and to strengthen strong relationships with their more experienced colleagues.

Keywords: Workplace Learning, Networked Learning, Informal Learning, Technology.