Career Dynamix: Professional Development

Professional development is essential during all stages of your career, particularly during the stages of early career, mid-career, and re-career.

Generally, professional development is not your only focus in any of these stages; making finding the time and energy to devote to professional development a challenge for many.  You are likely already aware of the many reasons that professional development is easily pushed aside, or brushed off the to-do-list.  Instead, let's address why making time for professional development is important.

Simply put, the more professional skills you  have, the more options are available to you.  That is what it comes down to, but that statement can be interpreted in several  meaningful ways.

1. Tools in your Toolbox:  More options available as solutions to problems you face on the job.
2. Career Opportunities:  More career options available to you.
3. Increase your Value:  More options you have to direct your present position.

There are ways both small and large to develop yourself professionally.  Which should you be doing?  Any of them - and all that you can do.  Whatever you are able to do, using whatever 'time making' strategy works best for you.  Every step is a step forward in professional development.

Which professional development activities can you make time for:

• Reading professional blogs
• Reading monthly professional journals
• Attending continuing education workshops offered by your professional organization
• Meeting (weekly/monthly) with a mentor or a seasoned colleague to learn what they're doing
• Stretching and honing skills you don't utilize in your present position through volunteering
• Working with a career coach
• Taking an occasional skill development course or workshop
• Taking an occasional refresher class to keep current
• Working toward an advanced academic degree

Doing all of these, all of the time, is not realistic for most.  Doing some of these all of the time is successfully managing your career dynamix.