UPSKILL CAMP

Career Strategy

Introduction

A Truly Long term Career

How to Not Dead-end Your Career

In uencing Key People for your Career

How to Assess Blind spots in Your Career

5 Keys to Quick, Effective Career Decisions

8 Steps to Making the Best Major Career Decisions

How to Failure-Proof Your Career Decisions

7 Steps to Creating Your Career Strategic Plan

Bonus: How to Deal With Irrational Colleagues and Subordinates in Denial
Lesson 1 of 10

Introduction
UPSKILL CAMP

Introduction 

A career is a means of generating income. A career is a lifetime pursuit of a vocation. a person's

career plan is the plan they have chosen for their lifetime. A career development plan paves the
way to long-term objectives. Any person (He/She) who wants to advance their profession
should make a list of their own goals, work toward achieving those goals, and take the
appropriate steps. A career plan may start before attending college or university or when a
person decides to change careers in their middle years. acquiring expertise for year-long goals
in a particular trade. Plans for career growth may only serve as guides. Current knowledge,
skills, and education are crucial for reaching a goal. When you make a list of steps to accomplish
goals, either formal or informal, you should include your areas along with the abilities that need
to be improved. Always start your career plan with your age and knowledge.

Strategic plans are developed by successful organizations to o er a long-term vision of what

they hope to become. They also outline objectives and goals that are relevant to those aims,
followed by strategic plans that will get them closer to the realization of the vision step-by-step.
This method is similar to a helpful paradigm for e ective career management. This paper was
produced by Smeal MBA Career Services to assist you in developing a personal career
management strategy and plan. It provides a summary of the steps involved in career
development, a brief discussion of each stage, and an introduction to exercises that lead to the
creation of your own plan.
Career Management Components 

A company risks losing skilled personnel if it lacks career development programs. A career
development program must be implemented by all organizations because it will not only help
you keep your most valued and bright employees but also lower your risk of losing them.

 Career development consists of the following elements:

1. Education

2. Capability

3.  Network

4. Experience
1. Education: 

Education is the primary factor or ingredient in career growth. This includes formal education
(degrees, certificates, and classes) as well as self-educational activities including reading,
attending continuing education courses, reading blogs, and staying current on new scientific
discoveries in the field. Education is the first step toward a successful job; it is essential to get
knowledge of the big ideas and an overview of the relevant business. However, if you lack
experience, you shouldn't put too much money into your schooling. Education is vital, but it's
also a type of power, and how you use it is more significant than the content of the paper. The
most important need in any firm nowadays is a bachelor's degree, although the education
section of resumes is typically included near the bottom.

2. Capability:

The capability is the next element in career growth. The basic skills required to execute your
employment are your capabilities. These can involve dealing with data, creating plans,
managing projects, managing software, programming, or working with a wide range of
expertise. Most businesses concur that having both tactical and strategic talents is necessary.

 Knowing how to prioritize: Arranging your workload is a key strategic skill. Don’t use a
complicated process, start with “Must Do” tasks and “Won’t Do” tasks. That’s it. No more
classifications.

Knowing when you need to be involved: Another vital strategic skill is understanding
where you add the most value. Leaders don’t need to engross themselves in everything
their team does. You need to know when to get out of the detail and let your team run
things.

Knowing how to manage up: One of the most important strategic skills is knowing how to
manage up. Strategic leaders don’t say “Yes” all the time. They push back on people when
they need to and say “No”. If you say “Yes” all the time, you’re going to be overwhelmed in
the long run.

Knowing when to delegate responsibility, not just tasks: Handing over isn’t just about
tasks. Sometimes, you can delegate responsibility in your team to others. Not only does this
provide growth chances for your team, but it also frees up some of your time.

Knowing how to resource your team properly: Having the right people in your team is a
strategic skill in itself. If you don’t have the right skills in your team, you’ll never be able to
take advantage of opportunities. You’ll be playing catch-up because you don’t have the
right skills or enough people.
 Being aware of the outside world: Leaders with good strategic skills understand what’s
going on around them. Keep an eye out for industry trends or technologies that may help
you and your team perform better. The world outside is changing and if you don’t keep an
eye on it, it might leave you behind.

3. Network:

The third element of career advancement is networking. These are the individuals in your career
that you can depend on that will assist you when you ask, or will voluntarily help you without
asking. Your professional network needs ongoing care and guidance, just like all other
relationships. Don’t be that person who just comes around when you need something, but be
there to help others, and uphold an ongoing relationship.

4. Experience:

Experience is the final and fourth part of professional development. A solid track record is
essential for careers that may involve a series of jobs organized around a common topic
(marketing, management, software, etc.). This presents a barrier for those just starting out in
their careers because the majority of entry-level jobs want to experience. To build your network,
place an emphasis on volunteering, internships, and going to local events. Since it makes up the
majority of one's résumé, this row ultimately becomes important.

Why Are Career Strategies Important?

You'll have the drive to determine what you truly want from your profession and strive toward
your objectives if you have a career strategy. You'll feel more in control of your destiny as a
result. Your long-term goals might be the focus of your career strategy, giving your day-to-day
work-life direction. You will have to make decisions and deal with opportunities and setbacks
throughout your career. You can prevent rash decisions that won't advance your job goals by
having a defined career strategy.
Most importantly, having a professional strategy will enable you to evaluate your
accomplishments and progress. Having a plan can help you get through any di cult days and
recognize your accomplishments as well as what is still within your reach.

Three tips for creating your best career plan

Now that you know why having a career plan is a good idea, let's talk about how to actually
implement one. Look over these three actions, and you'll be good to go. 

1. Think big:

Your professional plan shouldn't undersell you. You shouldn't let the fact that you don't now po
ssess the abilities required to achieve your ideal career deter you from pursuing this objective. A
dditionally, by reviewing your written plan, you might get more motivated.

Don't limit your career strategy to your current position or career path, either. Describe the
actions you would need to take to transfer careers if your ideal job requires you to accomplish
something that is in no way linked to your current line of work.

2. Define your strengths and what you enjoy:

When it comes to career planning, accumulating cash is a key motivator. Having said that, you
shouldn't make money your primary goal. Why? An unsatisfactory work experience and early
burnout might result from focusing only on money. Instead, concentrate on your strengths and
areas of enjoyment. Asking family, friends, or even a trusted coworker can help you identify
your strengths and the aspects of your career that you enjoy the most. They might have some
knowledge based on prior discussions. This practice can reveal skills you weren't aware you
have. Even better, you might find features of your current employer that you want to keep in
your next one, regardless of whether it results in a financial windfall in the form of a larger
income.

3. Be adaptable:

You can't always expect your career to go exactly as you had hoped. Another thing to keep in
mind is that, as you progress toward your ideal position, you might find that your preferences
have altered. Therefore, don't be reluctant to alter your career plan. You're not giving up on your
dreams by doing this. Simply said, it indicates that you are recalibrating. My plan when I initially
got out of college was to start at the bottom of a big company and work my way up. But I had to
come up with a di erent strategy when I was unable to get a job for six months. Instead, I
accepted a low-level position at a bank and began writing a personal finance blog in my spare
time. Even though I didn't earn much money from the blog itself, it changed the course of my
life. I started writing professionally.

You can choose which aspects of your plan to change and which to leave alone as you proceed. A
further benefit is that if you continue to be flexible, you might be surprised by the doors that
open for you. You might even discover yourself in a whole other career. If and when this occurs,
you might want to revisit your initial career plan and include new objectives.
 

Final Thoughts

When you are just starting out in your profession, planning your future career path may seem
intimidating. As you encounter opportunities or challenges in your profession, using career
strategies will aid you in carefully weighing your options. It is a good idea to split the procedure
down in order to make it seem less onerous. Think about your strengths, hobbies, sources of
motivation, and favorite activities. You can use these facts to find sectors and employment roles
that fit you.

You must consider the many steps you must take to accomplish your overall goal once you have
made that decision. This could involve anything from obtaining additional experience, and
pursuing advanced degrees, to honing specialized talents. Because it can help you capitalize on
your abilities and develop confidence, career planning is crucial. More significantly, it motivates
you to take charge of your professional life. The rules set forth here are merely that—rules. You
may design the finest navigation system for yourself using these guidelines and resources. Are
you prepared to create a career plan and relish the journey?

C O NT I NU E