The importance of staying updated in HR
Absence of opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired is no excuse for not keeping updated about what HR practices are. HR is a very vast subject with its dynamics, requirements, theories, procedures, and practices fast-changing with the passage of time and industry requirements beset with ever-increasing legislations. This discipline absorbs trends emerging from time to time, keeping pace with changing HR requirements and the job market. This is because, unlike other human sciences, whose theories are not expected to change often with time, HR involves and revolves around every stage of the evolution of entities, both in organized and unorganized sectors.
Of course, in a given situation, not everyone is expected to apply in practice all they know. What's important here is to make better use of this phase for updating the trend and be ready to rise to the occasion as and when opportunities beckon you.
Seeking opportunities and job rotation
On the other hand, you should look out for opportunities available in other entities by switching over portfolios where you should be able to apply the skills and knowledge gained over the period; there you'll be able to taste success and can move up the ladder. This is where the job rotation system comes into play and becomes handy. For example, in banks, you won't find the very same staff manning a particular counter all the time. They keep on rotating as frequently as possible so that everyone is vested with hands-on training, application, authority, and responsibilities. Soon after they are elevated, they won't find it difficult to cope.
To cut it short, we continue to learn until we take the ticket to heavens, and our success lies where we are in a position to handle them commendably, which depends on what knowledge and exposure we gain in the journey of our career. There are always rewards awaiting better performers, and in what role is our destiny, I would call it our own making instead of destiny.