You're feeling stuck in your career. What's the best way to get back on track?

2 Seek feedback and guidance

The next step is to seek feedback and guidance from others who can help you grow and develop. This can include your manager, mentor, peers, clients, or industry experts. Ask them for honest and constructive feedback on your performance, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Listen to their perspectives and suggestions, and thank them for their input. You can also ask them for advice on how to overcome your challenges, learn new skills, or pursue new opportunities. They may have valuable insights or connections that can help you move forward.

3 Explore your options

The third step is to explore your options and find out what possibilities are available for you. Depending on your situation, this can mean different things. For example, you may want to look for a new role, project, or employer that aligns with your interests, values, and goals. You may want to enroll in a course, certification, or degree program that can enhance your skills, knowledge, or credentials. You may want to join a professional network, association, or community that can offer you support, inspiration, or exposure. You may want to volunteer for a cause, initiative, or organization that can make a positive impact on the environment or society. Whatever you choose, make sure it's something that excites you and challenges you.

4 Take action

The fourth step is to take action and implement your plan. This is the most important and difficult step, as it requires you to step out of your comfort zone and face uncertainty and risk. But it's also the most rewarding step, as it can lead to new experiences, opportunities, and outcomes. To take action, you need to set realistic and measurable goals, break them down into manageable steps, and track your progress and results. You also need to be flexible and adaptable, as you may encounter obstacles, setbacks, or changes along the way. And you need to celebrate your achievements and learn from your mistakes, as they are both part of the learning process.

5 Keep learning

The fifth step is to keep learning and stay curious. Environmental engineering is a dynamic and evolving field, where new technologies, trends, and issues emerge constantly. To stay relevant and competitive, you need to keep up with the latest developments and innovations, and constantly update your skills and knowledge. You can do this by reading books, articles, blogs, podcasts, or newsletters, attending webinars, workshops, conferences, or events, or taking online courses, tutorials, or quizzes. You can also learn by experimenting, collaborating, or mentoring, as these can expose you to different ideas, perspectives, and practices.

6 Reevaluate your career

The sixth and final step is to reevaluate your career and check if you're on the right track. This is not a one-time thing, but a continuous process that you should do periodically. You should ask yourself if you're happy, fulfilled, and challenged by your work, if you're making a positive difference in the environment and society, and if you're achieving your career goals and aspirations. You should also ask yourself if you're balancing your work and personal life, and taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. If you're satisfied with your answers, congratulations, you've successfully overcome your career slump. If not, don't worry, you can always go back to the previous steps and make adjustments as needed.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?