Recent studies have found that as many as two out of every three employees feel stuck in their current roles because they do not have clear opportunities to grow and develop in their careers. With the unfortunate state of the economy, most organization are operating very lean and managers just do not have the time to invest in helping their teams grow and develop.
So, if you are searching for opportunities to grow and develop professionally, what resources are available to you?
First, you could seek out a mentor. Mentors are typically people who have a career path you may want to follow. They may or may not be in your current company. Mentors are individuals who you ask very specific advice of. Because they are so graciously giving their time to help you, you should be sensitive to this individual's time and learn as much as you can from his expertise.
Getting sponsor can be a great method for career advancement. Sponsors are typically several levels more senior than you in the org chart. Because of their position, sponsors will advocate for you and your career when opportunities arise at their level. You will likely spend less time with your sponsor than with your mentor, so you should be even more respectful of the time you spend him/her. You should always articulate your appreciation for how supportive he/she has been of your career.
Finding a sponsor or a mentor can be challenging. At the time of life when individuals have the knowledge and experience to be meaningful mentors and sponsors, they usually have obligations outside of work competing for their time. For individuals who struggle to find an industry, career path or role-specific mentor, you may want to consider a consultation with a career coach. Since career coaches primary job is to provide career guidance and accountability, you are likely to find meetings with them are more focused and you achieve results more quickly. Additionally, because you pay them, you won't feel like you are constantly asking them for favors, without being able to give something back to them.
If you have had difficulty to find an ideal mentor and cannot afford a traditional career coach, you may want to consider local career centers that can provide guidance for you at little to no cost. Typically services will range from career exploration to resume preparation to interviewing practice.
Alumni Associations are another valuable and underutilized career resource. Your alumni association makes career services available to you to ensure your continued success long after graduation. Services will range from mass career services like seminars and networking sessions to individualized sessions with a career counselor. If you are not already actively involved in your alumni association, there is no better time!
At the end of the day, even if you feel stuck in your career development in your current role, there are a wealth of career development resources that are available to you. The most critical advice I can give you is to just take one step that moves you closer to your goal. Do it. Right now!
So, if you are searching for opportunities to grow and develop professionally, what resources are available to you?
First, you could seek out a mentor. Mentors are typically people who have a career path you may want to follow. They may or may not be in your current company. Mentors are individuals who you ask very specific advice of. Because they are so graciously giving their time to help you, you should be sensitive to this individual's time and learn as much as you can from his expertise.
Getting sponsor can be a great method for career advancement. Sponsors are typically several levels more senior than you in the org chart. Because of their position, sponsors will advocate for you and your career when opportunities arise at their level. You will likely spend less time with your sponsor than with your mentor, so you should be even more respectful of the time you spend him/her. You should always articulate your appreciation for how supportive he/she has been of your career.
Finding a sponsor or a mentor can be challenging. At the time of life when individuals have the knowledge and experience to be meaningful mentors and sponsors, they usually have obligations outside of work competing for their time. For individuals who struggle to find an industry, career path or role-specific mentor, you may want to consider a consultation with a career coach. Since career coaches primary job is to provide career guidance and accountability, you are likely to find meetings with them are more focused and you achieve results more quickly. Additionally, because you pay them, you won't feel like you are constantly asking them for favors, without being able to give something back to them.
If you have had difficulty to find an ideal mentor and cannot afford a traditional career coach, you may want to consider local career centers that can provide guidance for you at little to no cost. Typically services will range from career exploration to resume preparation to interviewing practice.
Alumni Associations are another valuable and underutilized career resource. Your alumni association makes career services available to you to ensure your continued success long after graduation. Services will range from mass career services like seminars and networking sessions to individualized sessions with a career counselor. If you are not already actively involved in your alumni association, there is no better time!
At the end of the day, even if you feel stuck in your career development in your current role, there are a wealth of career development resources that are available to you. The most critical advice I can give you is to just take one step that moves you closer to your goal. Do it. Right now!
About the Author:
If you are interested in learning more about career planning visit http://www.squidoo.com/how-i-created-a-successful-career-development-membership-site.
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