When you think of your career what comes to mind? Your job? Your past jobs? What you should envision is your future, because your career is much more than the job you have today.

When you think of your career what comes to mind? Your job? Your past jobs? What you should envision is your future, because your career is much more than the job you have today.

3 Steps to Your Career Path

I met a woman, Tara, in her mid-20s at a networking event who told me that she’d been in her job at a local non-profit for more than three years and had it down pat. Tara was frustrated because there was no growth in the entry-level position or in the organization. She’d hit the ceiling the day she was hired.

Tara discovered what she probably already knew a career path wouldn’t appear, she had to design her own. I gave her three simple steps that would help her get started.

Take stock. Close your eyes and picture what your next job looks like. Responsibilities. Office setting. Boss. Location. Co-workers. Dress code. Open your eyes and answer these questions. What about your current position do you like, what do you not like, and what areas of your arsenal do you want to grow? Are your skills top-shelf or do you need additional training? When you find out what interests you, the career path will start to take shape because you’ll have some direction and purpose. Skip this step, and you can get off-track and head down the wrong path.

Network. Build a network of people who will help you along your path. They should be in your profession and represent all positions from the board room to the break room. Senior-level, middle-management and entry-level. Stay in touch

with them in person, e-mail, Twitter, LinkedIn and they can help you immensely. A solid network is the best place to hear about new job opportunities. And who better to recommend you for a position in a company than someone who already works there.

Change jobs. If your current job is no longer fully meeting your needs find another one that does.

I told Tara about someone who had her same job 13 years ago who was now a vice president at a local company. If Tara wants to move up, she needs to move out. She’ll be successful because her career path will start with a plan and a solid network behind her.

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Sean Taylor Simpson is the owner of Czaro Strategic Communications, Communication and Public Relations Firm located in Oklahoma City, OK.  Visit Sean’s blog at www.czarofpr.com.  You can also follow Sean’s tweets @seantsimpson.