Rainbow of milestones: crafting a colorful career journey

As I approach the celebration of another birthday, I'm at a crossroads in my life. You see, birthdays have this sneaky way of making us reflect on life, and this year, it's not just about the number of candles on my cake but also about my career milestones.

We're all at different stages in life, but one thing's for sure: we need a plan for our careers. I want to share some career advice for professionals at every stage:

Early professionals: focus on experience

• Learn like a sponge and with purpose. Embrace the learning curve. Be open to learning from everyone and every experience. It's okay not to know everything. Seek knowledge not just for the sake of it but with the intent to grow and make a difference.
• Try different things; Your career path doesn't need to be linear. Explore different aspects of your field to find what you're passionate about. Graduate development programs are a great way to try different roles within an industry and find your calling.

• Networking matters. Cultivate meaningful relationships. Building a strong network early on can open doors. Networking isn't about the number of connections you have; it's about the depth of those connections. Cultivate relationships with intention and authenticity with people who can guide you.
• Step up and volunteer for challenging tasks. Don't be afraid to volunteer for challenging tasks and responsibilities. Prove your dedication and stretch your abilities. The more you push your boundaries, the faster you'll grow.
• Keep learning, invest in your skills. Your education doesn't stop at graduation. Invest in your skills to boost your confidence.

For those who want to grow further in your company, here are 4 skills to develop:

Skill #1: Management. Learn to manage others by first learning to manage yourself. Hold yourself?accountable for meeting self-set deadlines and learning when and how to contribute at a higher level.

Skill #2: Business basics. You should begin?learning not only the basic structures of business early in your career, but also how these structures connect to and inform decision-making, accountability, and performance. Master one aspect of business, while gaining a basic understanding of business as a whole.

Skill #3: Setting strategy. You should know how and why companies change. Look at the external pressures that make your organization change, like competition or new rules. Also learn about the internal strategies available to address them so you can help your company navigate these challenges and ultimately become a future leader within the organization.

Skill #4: Relationship-building: For any career, relationship skills are imperative to growth and success. Begin nurturing your networks by simply getting to know members of your team or socializing with other young professionals.

Strong professionals: Prioritize growth and compensation

Ready to supercharge your career? Check out these brilliant strategies shared in Nano Tips to Fast Track Your Career with Tiffany Uman

My take:

• Define your aspirations; know where you're headed. Be crystal clear about your career objectives, both short-term and long-term. Knowing where you're headed will help you make strategic decisions. And don't assume others know. You need to spell it out.
• Negotiate confidently; you've earned it!Know your value and confidently negotiate your compensation. You've worked hard to get here, and it's only fair to be rewarded for your expertise.

• Consider mentoring others and pay it forward.Let me tell you, mentorship rocks, I personally find it so rewarding. Sharing your knowledge not only helps others but also strengthens your own leadership skills. I've had the pleasure of mentoring some real rockstars, and you know what? I've made some incredible friends.

• Stay ahead of the curve with continuous learning.Continuous learning is the key to staying competitive. Last night, after tucking my kids in, I joined a live session with Vaibhav Sisinty — a person I didn't even know existed last week! Vaibhav's passion for sharing cool generative AI tricks? Pure inspiration.Also check out my Monday post with a list of 10 most popular AI courses you can follow to upskill on LinkedIn Learning with currently free access. I also recommend engaging in reverse mentoring to keep up with the ever-changing landscape, it's a great way to learn.
• Consider new horizons.Don't fear change; embrace it. Sometimes, a lateral move or a new industry can lead to unexpected opportunities for growth. TTake my own journey, for example. I transitioned from a background in procurement to the exciting field of experience management, and let me tell you why that transition was truly awesome. It allowed me to apply my skills to a different context. I found myself contributing to an entirely new dimension of value creation. When you consider these new horizons, you open the door to innovative approaches for making a positive impact that you might not have imagined before.

As you approach the mid-point of your career, you might be reassessing your goals and career path and whether the corporate life is what you want moving forward.

If that's the case, allow me to introduce you to Brian, the guide to your corporate escape. His program can bring clarity and structure to your thoughts.

Book a 30min chat with him to get you set on a different path to career and life fulfillment. Tell him I sent you.

Long serving professionals: Focus on impact and legacy

Now I am also thinking about how I'll be leaving a lasting legacy. I think for colleagues in this phase of their career, it's important to consider the following:

• Define your legacy; what impact do you want to make? Think about how you want to be remembered professionally. This is your purpose, your "why."

• Pass on your wisdom to the next generation.Your knowledge and values will live on and can continue to shape the industry.
• Lead with insights; become a thought leader. Share your expertise through publications, speaking engagements, or teaching.
• Give back to society; align with your values. Consider how you can use your skills and resources to contribute to the greater good, aligning with your values.

Your career journey is unique, and it's okay to pivot and change directions along the way. The key is to stay open to new opportunities, keep learning, and make choices that align with your long-term goals.

LinkedIn's magic? Uniting us with exceptional minds and fresh insights to make us successful. Countless incredible people out there. Keep networking and learning together, we've got this!

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