The best way to maximize your career potential is to figure out what you want and then work hard to get it. If you’re interested in advancing your career, you’ll find that it’s easier said than done to get there. It can take years of hard work and dedication to achieve the success you want. However, it’s easy to get discouraged when you don’t see immediate results.
While there are plenty of things you can do to move forward in your career, there are also some approaches that may not be helpful or just plain counterproductive. With that in mind, the following guide will help you choose your career path and start down the right track as soon as possible.
Pursue Higher Education
The skills you learn in higher education will help you gain knowledge in your desired field. These skills also make you a more knowledgeable candidate for employers who are looking to hire someone well-rounded. Whether through an online or traditional degree program, pursuing higher education is integral to building a successful career.
If you’re opting for online classes, you can check out schools in the same manner too. Some institutions offer college campus virtual tours to help students know what to expect and what’s each school offers. Some will even include information about their admissions process as well as their curriculum structure.
Start Small
When you start your career, it’s tempting to try to take on too much and aim for success right out of the gate. But in reality, having a lot of irons in different fires can make you spread yourself too thin. Instead, narrow your focus down to one or two projects of particular interest to you and where you have some experience under your belt.
With these projects (rather than job titles) as your cornerstones, build slowly outward. By branching out gradually rather than rushing into big opportunities, you’ll be able to stay focused while honing your skills along the way. Plus, when it comes time to look for jobs or promotions, later on, employers will be more likely to recognize that you chose quality over quantity when selecting what roles to fill with your limited time and energy.
Start small by making sure that whatever work you take on aligns with your values— and make good use of your strengths. A flashy role’s momentary boost in satisfaction isn’t worth long-term frustration if it doesn’t fit in well with who you are and what motivates you.
Be Prepared to Work Hard
Dedication and hard work are necessary to build a successful career. You’ll likely need to sacrifice many nights and weekends to become an expert in your field. Be prepared for long hours, low pay, and little appreciation early on. You may be better off joining a company that already has a solid reputation.
There is no substitute for experience when it comes to building a reputation in your field. Join student clubs related to your major, contact professors you enjoyed working with during college, reach out to alumni who have shared similar interests, or follow up with people you met through volunteering or internships. They can serve as a reference in your resume when you’re applying for jobs.
Get Experience through Internships
Internships are a fantastic way to get valuable hands-on experience and make a name for yourself. Interning at a prestigious company can look great on your resume and help you network with potential employers. Having a foot in the door is essential, so don’t be afraid to seek out as many internships as possible, even if the company doesn’t pay you yet. It might be worth trying to negotiate stipends or small salaries for those positions that wouldn’t otherwise pay anything. It all comes down to what you can do for your future employer, not what they can do for you.
Get Connected on LinkedIn
First and foremost, you need to be active on LinkedIn. If you’re not on LinkedIn, there’s no better time than now to sign up. Not only is it a place where your connections can help push your career forward, but it’s also a great place to start networking with like-minded professionals.
Make sure that you have an up-to-date profile. Potential employers will look for discrepancies in your work history. Any content that doesn’t reflect who you are professional will give them cause for concern. On top of that, take advantage of all of LinkedIn’s other features, such as groups or discussion boards. And if you haven’t yet found that dream job? There are ways to connect with recruiters at target companies directly through LinkedIn. That way, they’ll know who you are when a position comes available in their company or in a company they represent.
Creating a career from scratch can be daunting. These key steps will allow you to not only build a successful career but help you find true fulfillment in your career choice. As you follow these steps, keep in mind that it’s okay if things don’t go as planned. Life is full of changes and unexpected twists. Flexibility is crucial for success in anything, especially with your career.
