Wouldn’t it be awesome if when you were 18 you could sit down with a counselor who could help you plan out your career and then you’d just follow that path? “So, when you’re 22 you’ll take an entry level job as a marketing assistant. At 24, you’ll be promoted to an analyst position….by the time you’re 35, you’ll be a director!”
Ha, no. That’s not how it works. While some companies have programs to help you with growth, career growth is really up to you. If you want to grow and be promoted or learn new things, you need to take charge.
I’ve put together some tips growing your career over at The Balance. To read it, click here: 4 Ways to Take Charge of Your Career Growth
Great artIcle! I remember speaking up when I was working as a customer service rep in my early-20’s, got to know the marketing director and told her I wanted to work for her, even though she had no staff. I wasn’t even sure why, but I had some kind of intuition that she’d be an incredible mentor and she was – we’re still friends 25 years later. I didn’t really know anything about marketing or business, but I was confident and willing to learn – two things that can get you farther than a degree (with humility of course)! I then became the company’s first marketing assistant, which really launched my career. Later I was temping for a consulting firm when I got to know a consultant who I thought was the best in her department – smart and hard-working. She inspired me to get my MBA, and although it took me about five more years to go back to school, after a lay-off I jumped at the chance. Even though I am now partially disabled and never was able to realize all of my career goals, getting my masters was a highlight of my life and helps me emensely to have the flexibility to still work, even though I have daily migraines….