January 27th, 2011 
jvremec
How adding a healthy dose of knowledge delivers greater career choice
Author: Chris Makell
For the mid career professional, career and job changes have increasingly become a way of life. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over the past 25 years, Baby Boomers have held an average of 10.5 jobs. That’s moving to a new position every 2.5 years! The impact to work/life balance, skills development, managing change and transition is significant. So what does this mean for the mid career professional, in terms of developing and preparing for this shift in job/career management?
To begin your future as a skilled, knowledge worker, what actions can you take to create knowledge in your current position, learn more about trends in your industry, and gain a deeper understanding of your company’s competitors? Where could you obtain more information? Who could you contact to gain additional insights?
Here are some suggestions where you can take action, immediately!
- Create a plan for internet research. A plan is critical so that you don’t spend time in the rabbit hole of links and pages.
- Get out from behind the computer and check local library resources for industry and job related information and trends
- Conduct informational interviews with marketing strategy, operations heads and key leaders in your company
- Check out magazines relevant to your business/industry online, at the library or on the newsstands
- Network – online (e.g. Ryze.com, Linkedin.com), at industry events and association meetings
- Join associations who provide thought leadership for your area of interest/industry (ask for referrals to important sources during your information interviews)
- Talk to friends and colleagues to share knowledge and interests
- Join or start a Mastermind group dedicated to increasing the knowledge base for all participants and to stay current in your area of interest/expertise
Now that you have some suggestions and resources to gather knowledge, how will you use your newly acquired data? Knowledge, until you use it, is just a set of interesting facts and trivia; which will make you popular at parties and functions. But how can you make it useful and create more value for both you and your company? Who could you share this knowledge with?
Here are some suggestions that are easy to do (and free!)…
- Write an article for a magazine, periodical or online article directory
- Participate in or start an online blog that discusses your area of interest/industry
- Create or join a Yahoo or Google group to share thoughts with like minded leaders, globally
- Present your knowledge at conferences, association meetings, network meetings
Be sure to include any articles or activities which demonstrate your newly acquired knowledge and thought leadership in your portfolio for inclusion in applications, marketing pacs, on resumes or CV, etc. This portfolio increases your “currency” when competing for a promotion or new opportunity outside your current company. You’ve heard “knowledge is power”, well it amps up your confidence and gives you incredible career choice as a result!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/how-adding-a-healthy-dose-of-knowledge-delivers-greater-career-choice-1093505.html
About the Author
Chris Makell is the Career Transitions Specialist who helps career professionals get clear on their outcome and create crisp, achievable transition plans that get results. Her clients have increased their incomes, obtained high level and executive positions, and achieved career success with life balance. Get Chris’ powerful audio program and transcript to create the mindset for career success, available at => www.CareerXing.com
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TAX – Professional Qualifications // Career development loans?
I am hoping for some advice, i am paying back a career development loan (through Barclays), which i got for a masters course. Does anyone know if either the course fees or payments are tax deductable?
Also are membership fees tax deductable for membership to the CIM???
Here is an excellent site with some wonderful options 4 U.
I need some advice on career development?
I am a graduate of business administration and need some advice on how to develop myself.
I organize scientific events and need to take courses to improve.
Have you heard of the Project Management Professional (PMP)?
any other better options?
There is a difference between event management and project management. Based on the need you described it sounds like training in event management would better serve you. Good luck!
choosing a career with high salary earnings?
i am planning an enroling with the open university soon to do a degree course .
can someone tell me what degree is the best for job satisfaction with good salary and professional career development. i am interested in healthcare.
Before you make a decision, check out the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. This might give you a new insight on your career choice.
http://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Money-That-Middle/dp/0446677450/ref=pd_ys_qtk_k2a_img/102-0650449-0694513
Is web development a good career to choose?
Will there be sustained/increased demand for web development professionals in the near and far future?
I would suggest that web developers will definitely be in demand in the future. The web is growing faster than any other creative industry. As the internet gets faster, the web will be far less restrictive than it is now and developers will be needed to do the ‘other’ part of the creative/ad cycle. It is also well paid. Not many people have the skills that a developer possesses, so you become a valuable asset to a creative team – and they’ll pay to keep you around.
How could I solve this situation in a professional way?
I have a difficult sitaution at work. I am feeling discrminated. This started when I joined my work as a temporary staff with a male colleague. This male was given better training and was entitled to more tasks than I although we had the same job description. When I discussed this with my boss, he said that he prefers a male for these tasks. A year passed and I could prove efficiency. At the same time, the office needed to select regular staff among the temporary staff. Although we had a job interview and written exam, the management selected the most important person to the office and didn’t much care for the exam and interview results. This person has become my boss as a result.
Although I proved efficiency, I still feel bad because of this unjustified descrminative situation. How could I put an end to that situation in a professional manner? I love my career and doesn’t want to quit but I can see that this situation negativly affects my career development.
There is never an easy way to go about a problem like this. I would say all you really can do is continue to work hard and prove that you are a hard worker and efficient at what you do. That is the only way to really fix the problem you will never get upper management to change their minds by complaining. They will probably just see it as exactly that a complaint and label you. Do your best to work through it and not let it get to you. That’s not to say in time, if the problem continues and you have done everything by th book, you couldn’t present the issue again to your boss. I’m sure as long as it comes from your heart and you have already proven yourself not to be a complainer then your boss would definitely take your concern into consideration.