Do you think you have been pursuing a career that happens to reach the stopping line? Often, there are times when you might feel like you have hit the wall of your profession. Various questions might spring up in your mind, such as what your future will look like five years from now. Will your job exist in two, five, or ten years? 

While none of us know what lies ahead, we all know that we are currently living in a highly uncertain and turbulent era. Meaning: the job responsibilities today might be different, or chances are, irrelevant, in forthcoming years. Nonetheless, there are several ways to advance your career, whether trying to break out of a career slump or just struggling with a lack of job security. 

According to a study, an average individual in America invests 90,000 hours at work throughout their life. This astonishing figure depicts why finding a fulfilling and meaningful career is incredibly critical. Although stagnant times in the workplace can lead to boredom, aiming for higher job roles can inspire you to work hard and progress in your career. 

Here’s a roundup of some of the guaranteed career advancement tips to motivate you regardless of where you stand in your career trajectory:

Pursue advanced education

Irrespective of where you stand in your educational journey, deciding to further your education can immensely impact your career. The efforts you pour in can contribute significantly to your career advancement.

Today, businesses are catalyzed by numbers, even more so in a realm controlled by big data. That’s why organizations are in quest of statisticians with the expert knowledge to collect and examine the massive amount of intricate data sets. These individuals can assist business leaders in making well-informed decisions and operating businesses swimmingly. Also, BLS projects the job outlook for mathematicians and statisticians to grow by 33% by 2030, depicting the increasing demand.

Given this, consider enrolling in masters applied statistics online program to get a leg up in your career and become the prime candidate for employers. The degree imparts a thorough knowledge of statistical science and procedures required to make projections and draw inferences. 

Part of what makes the degree worth it is that it helps you learn and develop the skills needed to solve real-world problems. Plus, an online degree can be feasible for working professionals like you as it helps strike the perfect balance between a full-time job and various commitments.

Build and strengthen the network

Interacting and building connections with people within your industry and outside is one of the surefire ways to make headway in your career. These individuals can be of great assistance, even more so when the industry landscape changes and you find your job position uncertain. 

Likewise, you will have the opportunity to discuss and learn about new strategies and technologies which can help you pivot your career in your desired direction. Not only this, but building connections with people who are currently in the roles you wish to pursue can help you get a glimpse of what every day at work would entail.

So, consider joining professional networking associations and employee resource groups to broaden your existing network. You can even harness the potential of social media or different avenues to get in touch with professionals. And if your organization has a tradition of hosting potlucks or conferences each year, be sure to attend such events to connect with brilliant minds.

Diversify skillset

Employers usually provide advancement opportunities to employees who can showcase leadership skills. That’s because the higher an individual moves up the career ladder, the more they will need to oversee people. Therefore, continue your professional development by learning and refining the skills of successful leaders. For instance, effective communication, innovation, leadership and management, and teamwork are the fundamental skills for professions of today and tomorrow.

If you wish to acquire these transferable skills, in that case, your current workplace might be an excellent classroom. Observe your team leaders and learn how they contend with workplace conflicts and prioritize tasks. Likewise, if you wish to become a pro at inter-office communication, pay heed to the format of emails you receive from your colleagues.

Nevertheless, if you can’t seem to wrap your head around others’ pragmatic approaches and thought processes, ask questions that come within the sphere of your role. When you demonstrate an earnest desire to learn and improve your work, your leader will probably be happy to guide you and notice your enthusiasm and determination.

Seek guidance from a mentor

Setting your sights on higher positions necessitates you to develop effective and meaningful relationships with your mentors. These successful individuals can help you determine which path to embark on in your career journey.

According to a survey, nearly 91% of employees with a mentor in their corner stated they feel satisfied at work, with 57% asserting “very satisfied.” Also, according to the results of another survey, 76% of people reckon mentors are vital. But unfortunately, only 37% of people seem to have one.

However, it’s relevant to note that mentors act as role models since they have been through a similar stage in their careers. These professionals can help you navigate your career trajectory and provide valuable assistance for attaining professional goals. They can even offer constructive feedback about how to execute tasks and provide insight that can set you up for career success.

Remember to be selective when choosing a mentor. If luck is on your side, you can find a great mentor within your industry. However, this factor isn’t compulsory for impactful mentorship. The only thing mandatory is getting in touch with someone well-acquainted with industry trends and who can commit time.

Final Words

Career progression requires time and plenty of hard work, and the journey isn’t always linear. And since specific aspects of this process go beyond your control, you might need to surmount impediments and switch your plans accordingly. 

For instance, if you can’t seem to find any advancement opportunities on the horizon, maybe it’s about time you venture out of your comfort zone and incorporate real change. Consider pursuing advanced education or switching to a role that offers growth opportunities. Whatever you choose to go for, it’s relevant to note that the future is highly volatile, and you might experience setbacks despite your preparedness. Thus, it’s crucial to possess resilience, nurture your ability to ride out turbulence and consider setbacks as learning experiences.

Lastly, as the future is likely to bring uncertainty, it’s just as likely to come with positive developments and growth opportunities. So, appraise your skills now and then and stay open-minded as the future unfurls. This way, you can future-proof your career and view the horizon with excitement.