As much as I like solving problems, I like having the knowledge to prevent them even more.
I am a data analyst.
Sixteen year old me, competing at NYC Science Fairs, would be proud to see how far I’ve come. Even when I didn’t have the words to articulate a career like this – I always knew the impact I wanted my work to have.
Every project I work on is an opportunity to enhance my skills or build new ones. And yet, there is still so much runway ahead of me. There are programming languages I would like to learn, initiatives I hope to lead, and public speaking opportunities I would like to have.
No matter where I am in my career, there are three things I do that are just for me. These tips are not specific to any job or educational pursuit. In other words these are the ways I contribute to my professional development so that I can get the most out of any internship, job, degree or opportunity. And the best part is I am going to share my trusted tips with you.
1. Build your capacity through continued learning
Learning should be ongoing and relevant to the skills you are hoping to build. You can use resources like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning for access to a variety of online classes, degrees and certifications. Bonus tip: some employers may offer incentives or may provide pathways to continued learning. This can be worth looking into if you are already employed. You don’t wan to pay for a course that could have otherwise been free or reduced in cost. On the other hand, if you are applying to jobs, find out if this is a part of a proposed benefits package.
2. Maintain relationships through networking
Networking is all about creating (and maintaining) connections. Explore the social interactions that feel most comfortable to you. For online connections, you can use anything from sites like LinkedIn, to social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. You may have to cater your interaction to the type of website you are using, but the opportunities are endless. Opportunities for in person connections are on the rise again. With more people have been returning to the office, large scale conferences resuming and community building through niche, intimate events — there is truly something for everyone.
One you’ve figured out how to access the people you want to be around next you have to engage with them. The relationships you create should be mutually beneficial for both parties in some way.
3. Keep a professional portfolio
A professional portfolio is a presentation of work samples that you can show potential employers or clients. I would like to go a step further and suggest that this can be a great tool to show a current employer as well. This portfolio is meant to show off your skills with examples of documentation: resume, examples of deliverables, research papers you’ve published, etc. Similarly, in my portfolio I like to save examples of projects I performed well on, excerpts of positive feedback from peers and new ideas that I am working on. Best of all, this portfolio serves as a great reminder of how much you have accomplished.
I hope this tips bring you closer to the career and life you envision for yourself. You got this!
Live abundantly,
Bethany
Check out this post for the items I use to stay organized when working from home.
