Tiffanie
Is there a thing as a great career plan?
Assuming you graduated high school, college, and you're moving up, are there any specific steps you had to pass in order to reach your career? I am hoping more than one person would answer so that I can compare the answers and see if there are any similarities and differences. Thank you! #career #jobs #plan
2 answers
Diego Puppin
Diego’s Answer
Hi Tiffanie. I would love to say "yes", but I have seen so many cases where the most beautiful things have happened in a completely unexpected way - just be ready for the opportunities. There are right moves you should take, but keep always your mind (and heart) open to improvise and follow the flow: it's not uncommon to be contacted by some great employer when you are least expecting, or to have a sudden opportunity to relocate when you have just settled.
If you ask for specific steps, there are some that seem to work. Having a degree with strong foundations will allow you to learn and adjust to what comes your way. Make sure you collect valuable experiences, in college and out (internships etc). Be well rounded outside your main focus. And be nice to people - they will help you down the road.
Good luck!
Nicole Baillie
Nicole’s Answer
In my answer to your question, I offer that I think it is helpful to have a plan...but...it is important to be flexible especially in the early part of your career. Most often, people don't really know how "great" their plan is until after being in their career for a few years. It is great to have a vision of yourself in terms of your professional growth ie "moving up". It is important to consider the how in that effort. While you are where you are in your job, do your best to give your best effort and to connect effectively with others that you work with. More often than not, your coworkers can be your loudest supporters.
As you develop a good working relationship with your team leaders and supervisors, your plan can be a good conversation starter. A good leader will ask their team members where they see themselves in upcoming months/years and/or what projects the team member wants to work on next. That leader would be interested in helping their team member reach their full potential. For those who have an outline for a plan, they can make very good use of those conversations and from there, build concrete steps to their next phase of a great career.
Hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck to you!