Ten Steps for Continued Career Growth
High employment levels prevail nationwide, but this fact does not improve job skills and performance. Not only is competition among professionals at all levels increasing, but employers fully expect their people further develop their industry expertise and contribute to greater corporate profitability.
1. Establish Goals.
Develop a list of objectives and review frequently, taking action at every opportunity, including activities such as building customer relations or reading trade journals to keep apprised of industry trends.
More about setting career goals.
2. Get Organized.
Whether it's utilizing project tracking software or a day-planing notebook, strong organizational skills are keys to moving forward in your career.
3. Dress For Success.
Not only adopt an attire but adopt a positive attitude appropriate for the position you would like to have in your company. Become a mentor in your department. You will benefit by assisting co-workers, fostering staff camaraderie, and strengthening your interpersonal and leadership abilities.
4. Continually Develop Your Skills
Skills development, sharpening existing skills, and acquiring new ones should be a continuous process that is integrated into your overall career strategy. It increases your versatility, a great asset to have in a competitive labor market. Employers will consider you more valuable to the organization, and may be less inclined to lay you off, if you possess valued skills.
More about continuing to develop your skills.
5. Seek New Responsibility.
Offering to assume additional duties or oversee projects, regardless of their size, will provide valuable experience and foster professional growth.
6. Learn New Technologies.
Develop greater expertise with new applications and become more techno-savvy.

Check out Adult and Continuing Education for courses in the latest technologies.
7. Network.
Join a trade association to interact with others in your profession and stay current on trends in your field. Maintain contact with former business associates, college alumni, and professors.
More about networking.
8. Be Visible.
Without boasting, take prudent steps to ensure that your accomplishments, such as speaking during meetings, presenting suggestions for improving business practices, or even arriving early to the office are known to others.
9. Remain Flexible.
Be open to new challenges and assignments. Don't dismiss a project if it falls outside of your job description - it could serve as a springboard to gaining new responsibilities.
10. Stay Upbeat.
Maintain a positive attitude when workloads peak to demonstrate an ability to produce results under pressure, which is always a valuable trait.
REMEMBER MENTORS!!!
THEY CAN ARE YOU GUIDE DOWN YOUR CAREER PATH!
In the early stages of your career, it can be advantageous to receive advice and guidance from a more experienced professional. Ideally, a mentor is a person in the field for roughly ten years who will take you under his/her wing and teach you some of the technical and political aspects of the job or industry. This person is someone you like and respect, and who shows an interest in your professional growth.

A mentor can be invaluable to your career, teaching you things not found in books, and in a fraction of the time that it would take to learn them by yourself. For example, a mentor can give you insight into the organizational culture, help you to adopt a more professional attitude and manner, and introduce you to significant people in your field and organization. Although you may want to "make it on your own," savvy beginners recognize how a mentor can help to make their career advancement much easier and quicker. Numerous men and women at the top attribute their success, at least in part, to a mentor.