Brandeis Online

When most people think of career development, they picture a promotion. But while that might be ideal, a boost in job title and responsibilities is only a small part of career development opportunities that employees can take advantage of. 

From a company perspective, highlighting career development opportunities leads to more retention and skill development. Employees learn to adapt to changing industry trends and needs, which enhances overall productivity and innovation. Plus, prospective employees value career development opportunities as part of a competitive overall compensation package. But there's plenty that professionals can do outside of the workplace for professional development (and plenty we can support you with at Brandeis Online).

Here are some ways to take charge of your career development:

1. Career Coaching & Mentorship

Do you know where you see your career in 5 years? How about 10 years? Having a plan and setting goals for your career trajectory is the first step to achieving them. Working with a career coach or having a mentor can help you sort out your future. Based on your current position and industry and hopeful outcomes, they can help make a strategic plan to gain the skills, connections, and 

Becoming a mentor within your industry can also be beneficial for your career. Being a mentor can show not only your company that you’re ready for leadership roles, but that you care about professional development and general company advancement, that you’re willing to be “part of the team.”

2. Networking

You’re only as big as your network. In today’s job market, strong skills and industry knowledge are important, but your network gives you both a competitive edge and a broader view of your field. 

Make a point to go to networking events in person and online that attract professionals in your industry and create connections. Many towns or counties have business sectors that focus on networking events, by industry. Some may even have specialty and affinity groups. Try them out and see what works for you. Get involved. Actively curate your personal career network.

3. Workshops & Seminars

In our rapidly changing world, industries transform constantly. Staying relevant requires regular skill development and education to both pursue new opportunities and ensure continued success in your existing role. 

Many industry leaders and academic institutions (including Brandeis Online!)  host workshops and seminars. Some charge a fee, but many don’t. And you can often have your company reimburse the fee if the topic is related to your role, under the assumption you will share what you learned to benefit the company at large. 

Consider these opportunities a mini catch-up to listen to experts or get your hands dirty with upcoming industry needs. This asserts your position as a knowledgeable expert and valued team member. 

4. Cross-Department Projects

When departments work together on projects, they often simultaneously learn about each other and share skills. Try doing this more consciously. Ask a colleague to show you their process. Work together to make useful suggestions or  modifications.When you learn about other department processes, you not only learn more about how your departments connect but a larger piece of how your company functions. This becomes increasingly needed in leadership positions, where you’re managing collaboration or multiple departments. Knowledge is power.

To start, this might look like asking an in-department team member to share a workflow or walk you through a frequent collaborative task. It might mean tagging along to an adjacent department meeting. Make sure that your supervisor is approving these connections. This should not be something outside of your job but more something that enhances it.

5. Continued Education

Eventually, there comes a time where you want to level-up your industry knowledge on a larger, more formalized scale. This is where a master’s degree or master’s certificate comes in. Many leadership positions require a master’s degree because they assert a standardized caliber of industry knowledge, leadership training, practical technique, and dedication.

At Brandeis Online, we specialize in master’s degrees for working professionals, with degree programs in topics that expand knowledge across industry. 98% of our students work full time while pursuing their degree. Designed with flexibility in mind, our asynchronous online programs offer a top-tier education for working professionals across the U.S. and around the world.

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To learn more about the Master’s Degree and Master’s Certificate programs at Brandeis Online programs, please visit our website.