What do you do if your career growth is stagnant and you need new skills?

After spending 7 years in academia, I found myself feeling trapped in my teaching career. I experienced boredom that prompt to engage in self-reflection. Through, this I learned that I derived more satisfaction from a side activity I was engaged in – consulting students. Recognizing this passion, I decided to explore the possibility of turning "helping" into a profession. I sought advice and feedback from colleagues, as well as friends and family members, to help clarify my self-assessment. This led me to return to university to study counseling. By taking this step, I was able to diversify my profile and transition into the corporate sector, where I now work and enjoy in training & development-working on others.

In my experience of working in the corporate world for over twenty years is, keep evolving and growing. No skill goes to waste and only way to future proof our careers is to keep learning and looking at ways of expanding our skill and capability set

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - Franklin D. Roosevelt ?? To boost your career, first assess the skills you need. Identify gaps and understand industry trends! ???♂??? Consult with supervisors and industry pros to discover in-demand skills. Ready to become a more valuable asset? Let’s set goals and plan your skill development journey! ????

Be a life long learner. Get a new degree. Get a certification(s). Gain some new skills... If that doesn't work, may be time to chart a new course. What seemed like your dream job/career doesn't always pan out that way. If you are stagnated, perhaps you were not a good fit/job/company was not a good fit for you.

Once you are reasonably confident of the skills you want to acquire, finding resources is not that difficult a task. Be open to coming out of your comfort zone and asking for help in your professional network which could be at your workplace or your alma mater. Be open to work as an unpaid assistant with someone who has the skills.

Most of us now have access to online communities of practice. Join lots and see if its a brand new skill yoou need or an update on your existing. Sometimes its about a refresh rather than a rewrite.

There are so many outstanding free (or very low-cost) education options out there. Taking courses or achieving professional certifications in fields of professional interest to you is an incredibly smart allocation of time each week for people that want better outcomes professionally. A bevy of outstanding educational options exist in LinkedIn Learning, which comes with a LinkedIn Premium subscription. That catalogue of educational offerings alone is worth the price of subscription. There are other educational platforms like Udemy that offer excellent classes, courses, and certifications for costs low enough to make it worth the investment of your time & money.

Once you've identified the required skills, you need to find the best resources to acquire them – be it another degree, online courses on platforms like Coursera or edX, industry-specific certifications, mentorship from others with a higher level of seniority, etc. Personal experience: During Covid, I competed a number of courses from well-respected universities on edX before realizing that I could also pursue an MBA program with the added benefits of a well-rounded curriculum and valuable exchange with people all over the world. Finding out what works best for you takes some time and that's fine. Another idea: Directly write people on LinkedIn who made the step you're planning and asking them for advice can be incredibly helpful as well.

Some ways that worked for me: 1) Investigate the Linkedin profiles that are a hit and are close to the path I wanna go. 2) Check their skills lists. 3) Brainstorm which skills will help me achieve my goals. 4) Refine the skills list and rank them on priorities. 5) Search for renowed educational/training places that offfer the skills training and rank them based on my budget (finnacial and time) 6) Create a management plan to allocate enough time in my calendar to complete the trainings in the best way possible. 7) Do one course at a time. 8) Do not overbook yourself to avoid burnouts.

A mentor can be the key to breaking free when you are "stuck." Your mentor can help you see what you need to do to grow, support your strengths, and help you set a plan to grow. Look for a mentor in your field who has the experience and manner that is a fit for you.

You can also learn from bad mentors in terms of what not to do. Things you witness in action towards you that you didn't like can then be avoided when you become the mentor.

I agree, I have been blessed with great mentors throughout my career, I value the essence of mentorship deeply. Their guidance, wisdom, and support have been invaluable through the highs and lows. For me having a minimum of two mentors is crucial—one within my industry for insights and expertise, and another outside for diverse perspectives. These relationships have shaped both my professional growth and personal development, empowering me to navigate challenges with confidence. You will be surprised how supportive people are to become mentors. Don't be afraid to ask people you admire in your network or in your industry via LinkedIn and other places.

Finding the right mentor is key here. This person may or may not be from the same industry, but can be experienced enough to show light to the right or the best path.

Mentors are crucial for your development! You will grow and develop so much faster if you find yourself a good mentor. It has to be a match - so not just go about it, in eay that you take just a person, find someone who resonates with you and your values - and you will fly.

Practice makes one perfect .... Hands-on training is the key to success. Mastering a new skill demands regular practice. Make it a point to incorporate your skills into your tasks or apply them. This practical involvement reinforces your learning and showcases your dedication to personal and professional growth to your employer.

Actively seeking out learning opportunities is essential when your career growth has plateaued and you need to acquire new skills. Diversifying your skill set can open new doors and refresh your enthusiasm for your profession. Consider enrolling in courses, attending workshops, or obtaining certifications that are relevant to the direction you want your career to take. Networking with professionals in your field can also provide insights and advice on essential skills and how to develop them. Volunteering for new projects at work or starting side projects on your own can be practical ways to apply new knowledge and demonstrate your capabilities to employers. This proactive approach can significantly enhance your career prospects.

In addition to regular practice, an effective way to accelerate career growth is to seek out mentoring or coaching opportunities. The very opportunity to have a mentor or coach can provide valuable insights, personalized guidance, and constructive feedback to help you identify and achieve your professional goals faster. Additionally, participating in courses, workshops and networking events relevant to your field can expand your network of contacts, open doors to new opportunities and provide new insights and perspectives for professional growth.

Acquiring new skills is the first step – as always, starting something is much easier than sticking with it. Mastery requires consistent practice, so (i) imagine how much this could help you going forward to increase motivation, (ii) set aside regular time each week to keep learning, (iii) apply what you’ve learned so far in your daily work and (iv) reflect regularly on your progress, what worked well and what didn't, ideally in written form. Doing these things will not only help you in honing these skills, but also to build confidence in your new capabilities!

On of the key things to know, is learning a new skill demands regular practice, and even after you learn if, you need to keep the information fresh in your head by practicing. Incorporate practice into your daily tasks or seek to volunteer to help projects where you can apply it (don't try to do it all by yourself). This hands-on approach showcases your dedication to growth. Remember, improvement takes time, so stay patient and persistent in your efforts. In my area, I have a person environment set up, where I am able to build computer networks, to test things out and try new applications and designs that I haven't seen before. All this to demonstrate my continued drive to educate myself.

-Strategic Skill Development: The passage emphasizes the importance of evaluating your current skills and identifying areas for improvement to stay relevant in your field. -Seek Learning Opportunities: It highlights various avenues for expanding your knowledge and skill set, including formal education, online learning platforms, and workshops. -Demonstrate Expertise: Acquiring knowledge is essential, but the ability to showcase your expertise through impactful results is equally important. -Reflection and Celebration: Regularly reflecting on your progress and celebrating your achievements are crucial for staying motivated and showcasing your capabilities.

Regularly review your progress and adjust your development plan as needed. As you grow and evolve in your career, your needs may change, so it's important to stay adaptable and responsive to new opportunities and challenges.

Mais do que observar as circunstancias, é necessário compreender quais características est?o sendo facilitadoras e impeditivas para a rota da nossa vida. O autoconhecimento é um mapa que nos guia através de importantes e relevantes reflex?es para redirecionarmos a rota. Com autoconhecimento conseguimos realizar reflex?es acerca da vida e como interagimos com ela.

I agree with reflection, and there should be intentionality behind how you reflect and journal this experience. I recommend getting a creative outlet for yourself, which may include some form of art or simple journal entries to help process and redirect. Any negative feelings, or emotions that may arise as youembark upon this new journey.

Attend industry events, join professional groups, or participate in online forums. Networking isn't just about meeting new people; it's about building relationships that can support your growth.

As part of my career training program, I give a lot of attention to establishing a networking network that will work for me in life and career development, there is no doubt that skills need to be developed in order to succeed in this and to persevere not only in the moments when we need to use this network but also to give of ourselves as part of the mechanism.

Attended networking session is one of the way we can learn the new skills and knowledge. Every people we met, we learn something from them.

Research industry leaders, hiring managers, or professionals with the skills you seek. Look for them at companies you admire or in roles you aspire to. Platforms like LinkedIn or industry association websites can help you find them! They can become not only mentors, but sponsors to help you move forward in your career! But remember: Networking is a two-way street. By focusing on building genuine relationships and offering value, you'll not only gain new insights and potentially find mentors, but you'll also position yourself as a valuable asset within your network, opening doors to future career opportunities.

Attended networking session is one of the way we can learn the new skills and knowledge. Every people we met, we learn something from them.

A valuable notion to remember when thinking of skill development, career progression or really, anything is that it is first your responsibility. A teacher, mentor or company providing it is fantastic but see the input and outcome as yours. Don’t wait for it or hope it comes. Take a proactive approach. If you feel stagnant then you are the first solution.

Before elaborating on skills needed it could be useful to honestly answer yourself a question: what are the true reasons of this stagnation? Sometimes lack of skills is not a reason but the consequence of some bigger reason that is holding leader back. So, identifying and working with this bigger issue would create an impetus needed, be it skills development, self-motivation or any other aspects. For example, sometimes one of those reasons is a tension between ?who I am” and ?who I truly want to be”. If there is a clash between path leader is on and the personal vision of her or his meaningful life, conscious or unconscious actions of self-sabotage may be taken.

Stagnancy in Career is generally considered by two dimensions. Firstly, with salary and secondly with Position. And yes it is a fact. One always feels stagnancy if there is no change in power associated with the position or no rise in compensation of his time, efforts and expertise. If you have the top position in the hierarchy and there would be no one above you, then what to do? If salary is increasing but no satisfaction, excitement from the work you get, then can't we consider it as a stagnancy? So, to remove this feel of stagnancy in similar job, one has to find excitement, challenges and joy in it.

Find something you are passionate about and learn. From there you will discover skills that you may not have known you have or are interested in. Don’t be limited by your current career. Dream without borders and take a leap. Discovering what you don’t love is just as important as knowing what you do.

To invigorate your career, embrace continuous learning. Identify areas for growth and pursue relevant courses, certifications, or workshops. Seek mentorship and network with professionals in your desired field. Embrace challenges, take on new responsibilities, and showcase your adaptability. Stay updated on industry trends and technology advancements. Resilience and a proactive mindset are key to overcoming career plateaus.