Navigating Your Professional Development.

We all do it, don’t we? We get comfortable in our current ‘job’ and stop paying attention to our ‘career’. According to the Wall Street Journal, fewer than 50% of Americans are happy in their job. That means most of us are going to work each day wishing we weren’t. The good news is that you can do something about it.
I see two things happen with great regularity. The first is people who are simply miserable in their current job. Rather than do anything about it, they stay since it’s easier, they think. Looking for a new job is a lot of work and you don’t believe you have the time. Or perhaps you feel guilty ‘sneaking around behind your employer’s back’ looking for a new job. These are valid concerns, but the truth is, if you’re not happy, you’re likely not performing at your highest level. That could eventually lead to your employer making the decision for you. There are a myriad of ways to passively look for a new job and there is no better time to start than now. You’ll be doing yourself and your employer a favor!
The second, and somewhat more disturbing thing I see are people who are fairly happy with their current situation, perhaps even very happy. So they do their work, paying attention to the here and now. What they fail to do is think ahead. What is it they need to move to that next level in the organization? Or what is it you need to remain competitive in the market when it comes time to go after that new job?
Some companies are great about offering professional development opportunities. If you’re working for them, consider yourself lucky and take advantage of the offerings! If your employer doesn’t offer programs, don’t sit around waiting for something to happen. YOU OWN YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT! It’s your career, so do whatever it takes to keep your knowledge, skills and abilities current and competitive.
There are many ways to advance your career:

1. Get more formal education: Go back to school, earn a certificate, take an online course.
2. Get practical experience: Volunteer, take on a leadership role in a professional organization.
3. Read and practice what you’ve read.

The important thing is to keep working at it. Don’t let it get stale. You don’t want to be that person suddenly in need of a new job, but finding your skills lagging behind. A wise person once told me “Never take a class that doesn’t earn credit and never do work that doesn’t build your resume”. Remember YOU OWN YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.