Professional Development on the Job

Written by Sarah Dierkes, MHRM student and current ECS Graduate Assistant.

There’s an abundance of support/ resources for people trying to find a job, but what about the people who already have a job and wish to advance in their career? If you’ve already secured a job or are curious about how to excel once you do get a job, this is the blog for you! Here are 5 of my favorite pieces of advice I’ve been given throughout my educational/professional career.

Branch Out from Your Department

It can be easy to fall into a routine of only speaking with those you work with directly. At one of my internships, an HR Business Partner was giving me a tour of the company’s manufacturing plant. While we were walking, he said hi to all the employees and engaged in small talk. Afterwards, I said it was impressive that he seemed to know so much about the innerworkings of the plant; he told me that when he started his role, he took it upon himself to schedule monthly 1:1s with each plant manager. Doing so has made him more approachable, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and has broadened his network.

Don’t Get Complacent

Continually seek out new certifications and stay up to date on in-demand skills/ trends in your industry. LinkedIn Learning has thousands of courses and certificates and many employers even purchase a company-wide membership.

Keep Track of Your Achievements

If you ever decide to make a career shift, updating your resume is a lot easier when you regularly document your achievements. Personally, I keep an ongoing note with different projects I complete so I can remember things I omit from my resume.

Ask for What You Want

This is one of my favorites. I can’t count how many times people have told me they just simply asked for something and got it. Whether it be an upgraded seat on a flight, a promotion, or a raise, many problems can be solved with clear communication.

Everything in Moderation

While it’s important to continue developing yourself in your career, it’s equally (if not more) important to be mindful of your work-life balance. Identifying areas of growth is crucial but be sure to also give yourself a pat on the back from time to time for all your hard work!

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein