If you’ve recently graduated from college or are preparing for graduation, you’re probably thinking a lot about your career goals. If you’ve been working in your career field for a while, you may have considered adjusting some of your professional aspirations. Regardless of where you are in your professional journey, receiving the right career advice can increase your chances of success. These suggestions can help you determine which professional resources are right for you.
Internships/Externships
Ideally, you should apply for internships during your junior or senior year of undergrad. If you’re interning with a company before graduation, you could increase your chances of being hired as a staff member once you receive your degree. An externship is similar to an internship but is usually offered soon after graduation. Externships provide opportunities for promotion in many cases and give you a realistic view of what your career will entail.
Applying for 2-3 internships or externships helps narrow your choices and could be an important step in establishing your career. For instance, if you’re interested in writing or journalism, apply for an internship at a local newspaper or magazine. Pitching story ideas and creating thought-provoking interview questions for articles could increase your chances of becoming a staff writer when your internship ends. An externship is common if you’re in the medical and financial fields. You may classified as a junior executive or assistant medical technician during your externship. Once you’ve completed the externship, you may be offered a promotion or increase in pay.
Networking Events
Whether you’re meeting with other professionals in your city or state or your company is preparing to travel to a national event, networking can contribute to your career advancement. These events also provide opportunities to meet other people in your industry. You may collaborate with these individuals in the future when you’re completing a corporate project or planning an event. Networking events also allow you to meet the leaders in your corporation. If you know higher-level management will be at the event, compile a list of questions and write down the responses you receive. Collect as many business cards as possible. If your company needs a vendor for events or you need to partner with another colleague for a presentation, you can contact individuals who met at a professional networking event.
Professional Mentorship
A mentor can prepare you for the challenges associated with your work. You can also rely on a mentor to show you which resources or schools to attend to increase your industry credentials. Mentors can also give you practical advice to improve your life overall. For instance, your mentor may suggest that you take more vacations to avoid burnout. Your mentor may also recommend that you hire a trainer or nutritionist so you can prioritize your health while you’re advancing in your career. You can also talk to your mentor about conferences or educational materials you should utilize to learn more about industry skills and trends that will make you stand out in the best way.
Communication with Management
When it comes to career advice, you don’t always have to attend a large conference or read a book by an expert. Those things can certainly be helpful but don’t underestimate the power of talking to your manager or department head about your career goals. The next time your boss schedules a time to talk about your performance, have a list of questions you want to ask about career advancement. You can inquire about a new position in the company that is more aligned with your strengths or talents. You can also talk to your manager about leadership courses you can sign up for within the company to help you reach your professional goals.
Continuing Education
Whether you’ve been in your industry for decades or recently joined the workforce, continuing education courses can be helpful. These courses can teach you about new technology trends in your industry and provide instructions on using software tools to increase productivity.
Continuing education can also give you useful information for communicating with consumers and colleagues based on societal changes. Being aware of what is happening in your industry and community from a social perspective can guide you in displaying empathy and tolerance while showcasing the best aspects of your company.
Get a Career Coach
A career coach is essentially a combination of a manager and a mentor. Your coach can encourage you to make courageous career decisions such as asking for a raise or signing up for additional training. A career coach can also provide recommendations for job leads which can come in handy when starting your career, or making major professional changes.
When you have a coach to report to regularly, you may be more structured in your career goals so you can share your progress with your coach during each meeting. Your coach may also assist you with taking care of your mental health while pursuing your career. For instance, your coach can give you tips for work-life balance and offer suggestions for breathing and meditation that you can utilize at your desk throughout the workday. Meeting with a career coach can also help you decide if your industry overall is too stressful for you, or if you’re working in an environment that is harmful to your mental health. If you’re making major changes in your personal life, this will inevitably affect your career. Milestones such as marriage, pregnancy, or significant life changes like divorce or having a child preparing to leave home, can affect your job performance. Working with a career coach can help you take a balanced and healthy approach to your life and career.
These are just a few ways to find more personal and professional fulfillment in your industry. When you accomplish your goals, learn new things, and work with motivated team members, you are more likely to meet and exceed your career goals.