Taking control of your career growth plans

By Peter Kamuri

Where do want to be in the next few years in your career ladder? All of us want to be in the next rung and ultimately, be the one running things in the organisation.

But this might remain just a pipe dream if you don’t take charge of your career growth plan. There are a number of ways in which you can take control of your career growth goals.

One way is to look for a career coach who can guide you on the best avenue to take to achieve career objectives. A career coach is usually a professional who is experienced in a particular area, and can equip you with know-how you need to get to the next level.

Mentors also come in handy when you are looking for ways to improve and realise your career goals. Most companies and organisations have mentoring programmes managed by experienced mentors whose work is to advise and counsel employees on work and career related issues.

Going back to school can also improve your career growth plan. Look around you for the training opportunities available. Talk to friends or colleagues about the openings available or try an Internet search. Learning opportunities should not just be limited to attending classes.

Permanent job

You can try to upgrade yourself by reading books, magazines or looking for information from the relevant websites. If your work schedule is not flexible, go for part-time studies in local public universities and colleges offering continuing education programmes, or enroll for online courses.

Joining professional association is also a step in the right direction. Look whether such bodies exist near you. Enroll and attend their annual meetings, and be involved in their activities. Get access to their newsletters and journals to keep yourself informed about industry news.

Develop a good working relationship with your boss. Let him know what plans you have and your career aspirations, goals and the skills you are developing. You might be surprised that he ends up supporting you in a big way.

In the event that your boss does not appreciate what you are doing, do not be frustrated. Remain committed to your plans and goals. What matters most to your is the career goals you have, and how to achieve them.