As we approach the end of the year, many of us are thinking about our goals and aspirations for the year ahead. If your resolutions involve advancing your career in the IT industry, creating an IT career development plan for the upcoming year is the perfect way to prepare and plan for progress in your career. Instead of putting this task off until the hectic holiday season, why not take advantage of your time this fall to evaluate your IT career and set yourself up for success in the New Year?
What is an IT career development plan?
A career development plan is a strategic tool to set yourself up for growth and advancement in your IT career. By establishing clear goals and mapping out a path to achieve them, you can ensure that you are on track to reach your full potential and make meaningful progress in your professional journey. Staying motivated and progressing can be tough, but a career development plan is a valuable guide when you’re unsure about your next steps.
Begin by evaluating where you are in your career.
The first step in creating your IT career development plan is to evaluate your current situation. Spend time on this step and think through your answers. Make the experience enjoyable by tackling this at your favorite coffee shop or while wearing your most comfortable outfit. Introspection can be tough, so if you find it hard to start, consider rewarding yourself for completing the task or inviting a friend to join you who would also benefit from creating a career development plan. When you are ready to begin, ask yourself important questions that can provide valuable insights into your career trajectory.
Consider questions such as:
- What are my previous experiences in the IT field?
- What aspects of my work do I enjoy the most?
- What tasks or responsibilities do I dislike?
- What new skills or knowledge am I interested in acquiring?
- What aspects of my work make it meaningful to me?
- What type of work environment best suits my personality and goals?
- Do I envision myself staying local or exploring opportunities in different locations?
Create a career vision statement.
Using the answers to your questions, create a vision statement for your career looking one year into the future. Where do you see yourself? Make this vision statement as detailed as possible so that when you return to it in the future, you can imagine this vision as clear as the day you wrote it.
Set realistic goals.
After you have a vision statement for your career in the upcoming year, it’s time to set goals to help you make this vision a reality. Break these goals into manageable time frames that suit your schedule, whether by month or by quarter. Consider your yearly calendar to make sure your goals are realistic within those timeframes. For instance, if you have children home from school in the summer and have less time to focus on your goals, be sure to adjust your goal time frames accordingly.
Example goals:
Research and select a training program by Jan 31st to develop (insert skill).
Complete (insert training program) by March 31st.
Join a professional networking group and attend a meeting once a month for six months.
Update my resume and LinkedIn bio by May 31st.
Set up one coffee or lunch meeting per month with a professional contact for the next 12 months.
For each goal you create, break the goal down into manageable tasks and schedule these tasks on your calendar. For example, if you are working on skill development with a training program, set aside designated time to complete your coursework and study the material. By breaking down your goals, you can make small steps that add up to a big impact on your progress.
Revisit your plan and rely on your resources.
Once you have your plan in place and you begin working toward your goals, don’t forget to check in with your plan regularly. It may help you to make this a recurring task once a quarter so you remember to review your vision, celebrate your successes, and evaluate any needed changes to the plan. Also, remember that you can ask for help and support as you work through your goals. Whether you want to go through this process with a close friend or join a co-working group, there are plenty of ways to find support to help you stay motivated and on track.
As you advance in your IT career, keep in mind that our IT recruitment team is here to support you. We are always seeking candidates to match with top companies throughout the United States. You can learn more about our process on our job seekers page.