11 Simple Ways to Invest in Your Career
We often associate investing with money-related topics like savings accounts, property ownership, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and more. But did you ever think about your career as an investment and how to invest in your career?
Many of us think of establishing our career as a one-time pursuit. Individuals seek to obtain training, complete coursework, and earn a certification or degree in a specific field to hopefully earn a living for the rest of their life. These are only the basics of establishing a career.
According to Top Resume, to be successful and advance in your career, you will need to invest in your career as an ongoing process through developing new skills, building professional relationships, and seeking opportunities. Realize that it can take time and money to invest in your career.
General Insights on How to Invest in Your Career
Get to Know Yourself.
This sounds simple, but do you really know your strengths and weaknesses, your career interests and passions? Getting to know yourself will not only help you to invest in your career but also assist you in fulfilling your life goals. Women Rising suggests using the VIA Institute on Character Discover Your Strengths free survey as a tool to help you evaluate your strengths.
Keep Learning.
Research the trends in your career field. Continuing to sharpen your skills is a way to invest in your career, increase your ability to advance, and find new job opportunities related to your advanced skill set.
Find a Career Coach.
Hiring a career coach can be a great way to invest in your career. Coaches can help you with goal setting, finding the right career field for you, job search planning, and even determining work-life balance. Indeed provides a good source to find out information about career coaches, including what they do and how to find a reliable coach.
Join a Professional Organization.
There are several reasons to think about joining professional organizations and participating both online and in person. Being part of a professional organization or association helps build your network, increasing your relationships with others in the same career field and enabling you to share your ideas, ask for suggestions in seeking your career goals, and learn about current trends in your chosen field. Professional organizations can also help with job hunting, and many of these organizations host national and regional conferences where you can attend workshops and learn fresh ideas from experts.
The Importance of Education and Credentials
One of the smartest ways to invest in your career is to continue gaining the education, training, and qualifications you need to excel in your field or in your next career path.
Research and Assess Your Career Interests.
If you are thinking about advancing in your current career field, evaluate your interests to explore, or if you are transitioning into another career, learn what skills and abilities are needed.
Take an Online Certificate Course to Expand Your Skillset.
Blackstone Career Institute (BCI) offers a variety of short-term online certificate courses. Certificate courses include Medical Billing, Medical Coding, Medical Office Procedures, and Personal Caregiver, among others.
Get Nationally Certified.
BCI offers accredited online career programs, many of which are designed to prepare students for national certification. BCI is a leader in online education that includes career training for becoming a paralegal, legal nurse consultant, medical transcriptionist, pharmacy technician, medical office assistant, and dental office assistant. BCI has also been named a Military Friendly® School, which means it offers military benefits and support to the military and veterans to enhance the workforce.
Pursue a Degree.
Depending on your career goals, you may want to pursue or continue your education by graduating with an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree as another way to invest in your career. Know that there are key differences between certificate and degree programs. These center on the cost of education and training; the length of time to complete the program; requirements to enroll; aspects of career advancement and professional influence; and salary and job opportunities. It’s important to know which type of program will work best for you.
Using Social Network Platforms
Today’s technology offers a simple way to invest in your career. Social networking platforms such as LinkedIn, and to some extent Facebook, can be useful to connect with potential employers, career mentors, and others in your chosen career field.
Create a Personal Profile.
Your profile can highlight your skills, abilities, and accomplishments.
Regularly Update Your Profile.
Recruiters often rely on social platforms to discover potential candidates, so it is important to keep your profile up to date with your current career accomplishments.
Strategically Use LinkedIn.
Since LinkedIn is considered a top professional platform, it is important to have the following goals in mind as a way to invest in your career:
- Make a LinkedIn post Post about trends in your career field or your ideas and suggestions. Refer to influential related articles from subject matter experts.
- Reach 500+ connections on LinkedIn to help build your network and credibility.
- Get three recommendations on LinkedIn from a co-worker, supervisor, or educator.
The Best Career Investment is You
Taking the time and necessary actions to invest in your career can make a difference in your long-term career trajectory. Keep in mind that when you invest in your career, you are investing in you. OpSource notes that although you should certainly be open to opportunities for growth and new challenges in your career, prioritize your well-being and journey at your own pace to understand what you want most to bring fulfillment in your career and life.
Written by Jo Gambosi
