If you have a very clear idea of where you’d like your career to go, then you’ll want to take more control of your professional development (even if that means pursuing training outside of what’s provided at work). 

Talent hungry employers are beefing up their learning programs to remain competitive, but as supportive of your growth as they may be, you probably don’t want to leave your fate entirely in their hands. 

Here’s how to take charge and direct your own career development. 

5 steps to self-direct your professional development 

A rewarding career probably won’t happen by accident, which means it’s time to self-reflect and grab the reigns! Follow these 5 steps to grow more intentionally. 

#1 Establish your career goals 

Unless you’re a hippy high on whimsy and ‘universal guidance’, you probably have a fair idea of where you’d like your career to end up. The first step to intentional career growth is to identify where you see yourself in five to ten years, and consider: 

• What extra effort is required to get you there? 
• What are the gaps in your skills, knowledge, and overall ‘package’ you need to address? 
• What short-term goals (six months to two years) will help you progress? 

Once you’re clear on what you want and where you’re heading, you can set SMART career goals to keep you accountable and on track. 

#2 Create your plan 

Creating a career plan keeps you focused on that ideal destination and steps out the actions and milestones you need to hit along the way. 

Working from your SMART goals: 

• What are the key milestones you need to hit and when? 
• Will you need to enrol in further education? 
• Will you need to relocate to a bigger city or change industries? 

Don’t be afraid to dream big – your plan can be fluid and adapt to your changing needs and goals as you progress. 

#3 Find your support crew 

Whether it’s connecting with mentors, coaches, or your likeminded peers – curate a community of career supporters who can guide you and cheer you along the way. As a starting point, you could use LinkedIn to identify suitable ‘people to know’ working in the role, field, or aspirational company you see yourself at, and reach out. They can only say no (but probably won’t)! 

You might also come across relevant industry groups and events to help you build your network. 

#4 Develop your professional skills 

Learning and development these days takes on a range of shapes and forms. While formal qualifications may be required, there are still many other free or low-cost learning options that build up practical skills. You might consider: 

• volunteering 
• micro learning with free online courses and YouTube tutorials 
• business and self-help books 
• subscribing to industry publications 
• putting your hand up to take on more responsibility or contribute to other projects 
• mentoring an intern or graduate. 

Make a note of the skills you need to develop and the strategies you can use. 

#5 Keep yourself accountable 

Is your career journey taking more shape now? Good. But don’t let all this great work go to waste. 

Now that you have written down your goals and the actions, people, and milestones (plan) needed to get you there, you might want to schedule regular time in with yourself to track, review and evaluate. Whether that’s monthly or quarterly, by keeping yourself on top of your goals, you can quickly and easily see what you need to do more or less of as you trek towards your destination. 

You’re in charge of your career 

When it comes to your career, you are the Captain steering your ship. While you should absolutely capitalise on the learning support offered by progressive employers, having an intentional career plan guiding your professional development will help you create the fulfilling and rewarding career you desire.