If you’re confident that your current career path is the right one for you, and you’re settled in your current role as a valuable member of your team, you might be tempted to think that all you have to do now is wait for the inevitable promotion. However, that is not the case! There are plenty of things that you can do to ensure that you remain informed about the issues affecting your industry, constantly upskilling and evolving your professional life so that you are at the cutting edge. Here are some ideas of how you can take your career to the next level.
Take a training course
Consolidating your industry knowledge and experience with formal qualifications is a great boost to your CV, demonstrating your expertise in the field to future employers. You might want to study for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a subject area relevant to your industry. Alternatively, you could take a short course, such as one of the business certificates offered at https://execed.kelley.iu.edu/. These have the benefit of providing intense training in a particular skill area essential to business, for instance, project management and leadership, so you can focus on developing specific tools without wading through an entire degree program. Training certificates are often highly flexible and available online, allowing you to fit in your education around your full-time job.
Get involved in mentoring
Mentoring is a fantastic way to learn hands-on skills and expertise from an industry professional. A mentor will build on the essential skills learned during training courses and college degrees, providing you with current industry knowledge and practice, and prepare you with first-hand knowledge for life in that industry. If you have a dream role, for instance, you could find a mentor who currently has that role. Not only will you learn more about what that role involves and the skills required, making you a more desirable interview candidate, but if you develop a trusting and respectful relationship with your mentor, you will also gain an important ally in the industry. You might also consider offering your own services as a mentor to colleagues who are less experienced than you. Not only is it important to give back to your professional community and disseminate skills and experience to those just starting their careers, but you will also learn from your newer colleagues.
Build your online profile
There’s no doubt about it: the intangible online world has a huge influence on the “real” world. With the increasing importance of digital marketing on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, many businesses now need to focus on developing effective strategies for social media. The online world is also an important place to build your own professional profile.
By having an active and engaging LinkedIn profile, for example, you can establish yourself as a leading voice of expertise and innovation in your field. You could even be approached for additional opportunities through your LinkedIn page.
