4 Ways to Drive Your Own Career Growth

How to Take Ownership of Your Career

Are you ready to take the next step in your career and contemplating the best way to get ahead without jumping jobs? You’re not alone. According to a recent Oracle study — surveying nearly 15,000 employees across 13 countries — 83% of employees want to make changes that align their priorities with future career interests.

To shift the tides and regain control of your future, it’s vital to understand professional growth and how to achieve it. This can lead to advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and increased job satisfaction. And while it’s incredibly helpful to work at a company that prioritizes growth and development, it’s ultimately your responsibility to take ownership of your career by identifying specific goals and building an actionable plan to meet them.

So, what steps can you take to do that? Here are four ways to make progress toward driving your own career growth.

1. Set Clear Goals

An essential part of career advancement is setting clear, actionable goals for your professional development. Whether your employer requires this as part of your performance review process or it’s something you do voluntarily, it can help to plan out your future. Examples of potential goals include:

• obtaining an academic degree
• earning an industry certification
• joining a professional organization
• learning new technology
• and increasing your duties and responsibilities.

2. Obtain a Certification or Degree

Whether your goal is to advance in your career or work in a different field, furthering your education can help take you there. Individuals interested in online education have many of the key characteristics that translate to high-performing employees, and earning credentials that align with your career goals may result in more job opportunities and higher pay throughout your career. At the University of Cincinnati Online, we offer over 100 online programs with flexible scheduling to balance school, work, and family.

3. Find a Mentor

Mentors are trusted advisors and coaches that hold you accountable to reaching your goals, encourage you during tough times, and open doors for you. According to a five-year study of 1,000 employees, mentees are five times more likely to be promoted than those without a mentor. While informal mentorships may involve calls, texts, or emails when you need guidance, formal mentorships may have a defined schedule that details the specific dates and times you plan to meet. If you’re looking for a mentorship, ask your supervisor if they know of a good candidate.

4. Utilize Company Resources

It’s important to connect with individuals and departments, especially those in HR, who are dedicated to providing support and assistance to you. Schedule a meeting with your benefits team to explore any sponsored resources that could be available to you, such as tuition reimbursement or professional certification reimbursement, and inquire about other perks that could aid you in achieving your career aspirations. For example, UC Online partners with organizations to offer tuition scholarships for employees and their qualified family members.

Remember: You are the Driver of Your Career

Your vision of success is subjective, which is why you must take the lead in your career aspirations and utilize organizational resources to help you meet your goals. Speak with your management team and see if you qualify for UC Online’s Business Partnership Program and begin working towards advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and increased career satisfaction.

Ready to get started? Explore our Business Partnership Program to discover how you can achieve your goals with a degree from the University of Cincinnati Online. Or take the first step in furthering your future by connecting with one of our advisors today.