Career management and planning tips for a brighter future

Career management is about taking the steps towards planning and monitoring a happy career. Here are the tips you need to help set you out on the path to a brighter future.

Career planning and management starts with assessing the macro-economic environment. Why?

• Because the rapid continued growth in technology and global economy will cause some industries to shrink and even disappear altogether.
• In contrast, those forces will open the doors for new industries, businesses and entrepreneurs to appear.
• Understand these trends will show you where long-term career pathways lie.

Another key element in career management is understanding your aptitudes, skills and traits to make sure you're following the right course in the job hunting process. Below are a few more tips that may help you know if you're heading in the right direction.

Pursuing the proper educational channels for a chosen career path is paramount.

• There's an increasing demand for highly-skilled and specialized workers in Canada, and that starts with specialized training in school.
• Research your desired profession, determine its employment opportunities and pursue the education and/or training required to apply.

A great way to launch a career in a desired field is to pursue apprenticeship and/or internship opportunities.

• Obtaining this type of paid (or volunteer) employment is a good way to assess whether one’s skills and aptitudes are a true match to the chosen profession.
• If comfortable with the industry and/or organizational culture, begin pursuing opportunities for advancement within.

The current job environment places increasing importance on the ability to self–manage.

• Review your management skills by checking for creativity, versatility, assertiveness, decision making, reliability, and self-control. Then, determine which skills you would most like to develop in the future.
• Identify your skills that are most desirable to employers.
• Conduct regular self-assessments and evaluations to determine that the chosen career path is still a match.

Ongoing professional development is essential in order to update your skills in a rapidly changing workplace.

• Seminars and educational courses are available to increase knowledge and credentials.
• Most professions, particularly those within the rapidly evolving technology fields, will require continued training and education.

Often, employers offer professional development opportunities and resources.

• Consider diversifying your qualifications and experience and how they could be applied to other sectors.
• Communicate with a trusted mentor or peer and share the results of your self-assessments — their input will provide an objective perspective.

Following these basic tips of career management will help ensure your selected career path remains on track. There are many factors that can contribute to career instability, so proper career management is essential in mitigating that risk.