Adapting Career Goals

Early in my career, I was lucky to be surrounded by great mentors and leaders in my field of career services. I vividly recall an Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE) conference when Manny Contomanolis, PhD urged me to set a goal to be a career center director. Since he saw potential in me to be a leader I started with that broad goal. That’s not what ended up happening, but it started my career journey, and I sought experiences and built a network to help me achieve my career goals.

My career has spanned venture capital-backed dot coms, higher education, public accounting, and SaaS technologies. I've come to understand deeply how dynamic and unpredictable the job market can be. After reading Malcolm Gladwell 's "Outliers," I realized the importance of capitalizing on transformative opportunities and technologies. I took risks and most panned out, until recently but oh well.

What I’ve learned is setting broad career goals is more sustainable than rigid, specific aspirations. For example, striving to become an expert in data-driven decision-making is more adaptable than aiming for a specific title at a particular company. This flexible approach is crucial as it allows you to pivot and evolve with the economy and technological advancements.

Central to this adaptive career planning is the continuous development of versatile, transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, and leadership. Equally important is maintaining a pulse on technological trends which could include emerging tools like AI and blockchain that are set to redefine industries.

I certainly have not followed a specific skill development of Gladwell's "10,000-Hour Rule" which emphasizes the necessity of deliberate practice and lifelong learning. I suppose I developed a broad development of technology and people skills which I’m sure is over 10,000 hours by now. If you are a nurse, accountant, engineer, physician, or other specific technical career, my advice may not be relevant to your career development. However, I think the following applies regardless of your chosen field of study.

Networking plays a critical role in identifying and seizing 'Outlier' opportunities—those transformative moments that can significantly alter career trajectories, regardless of the field. Being deeply connected within your industry can help you be in the 'right place at the right time' to take advantage of these opportunities.

Moreover, regular reflection on your career path is vital. It's important to assess whether your current trajectory aligns with your broad goals and to pivot as necessary, embracing flexibility and resilience as essential traits for career longevity. Career planning in today's world requires a blend of broad goal setting, continuous skill development, and an open mind to pivot when outlier opportunities arise. By embracing this adaptable approach, we can navigate our career paths successfully, regardless of the twists and turns the future may hold.

Right now, for many of us searching for the next career step is a moment to either pivot or continue down that broad goal set at some point in the past.

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