How to Maximize Your Professional Development

Like any other skill, professional development is an ongoing process that takes time and commitment. At the beginning of your career, this may look like binge-reading Forbes articles or attending industry events without goals or strategy. While approaches vary from person to person, we’re here to teach you how to maximize your professional development and take matters into your own hands. 

STRATEGY — Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan 

To start, it helps to get clear on what you want professionally. Are there areas that you’d like to strengthen? Do you need more people in your circle that you can bounce ideas off of? Create a detailed and actionable professional development plan and work the plan. We’re also big fans of the vision board and manifesting! 

EDUCATION — Be A Sponge! 

Cultivating a learning mindset is key to success. It’s important to set aside blocks of time to learn on a recurring basis. There are endless resources both on and offline such as free workshops, podcasts, and books that can help increase your understanding and relevant skills around your industry, position, or personal development. 

COMMUNITY — Don’t Be Afraid To Slide Into DMs

Build community. This can take shape in many different ways from utilizing social media networks such as LinkedIn, volunteering for committees, and finding mentors. When you develop connections with people who have experience, they can offer you feedback and objective advice that you may not receive in the workplace. Join forums in order to connect with like-minded professionals like the one we’re building here!

EVENTS — Network, Network, Network

Now more than ever, industry events are on the rise. There’s plenty of free and paid events that you can attend either virtually or in-person as cities begin to reopen. Take advantage of seminars, webinars, and conferences with the intent to learn and network. These relationships are important for gaining interesting perspectives and ideas and can end up providing great value to your professional development.