We are living in a time where fundamental changes are happening to the way we work. The world is becoming increasingly competitive, and change is constant. Therefore, being proactive and putting emphasis on our career and professional development is key.
Career and professional development have many benefits, including expansion of knowledge base, confidence and credibility boost, increase earning potential and hire-ability, and networking opportunities, allowing one to stay on top of current industry trends which can lead to future career changes.
It’s up to each of us to activate our own career operating system (CoS) to fuel our growth and success. I recently attended the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) National Conference in Denver, Colorado, where Al Dea of Betterwork Labs educated attendees about CoS during his presentation, “Building your career in a world of uncertainty and change.” He defined CoS as “the mindset and habits that support career growth in an ever-changing world of work. ” He went on further to break down the CoS which I’ve adapted for this article.
- Be intentional about growth through self awareness and action, identify career growth opportunities, set goals, and take actions, such as creating a career plan, and share the plan with mentors and managers.
- Embrace learning by following your interests and curiosities, use self motivation and a growth mindset to learn and acquire new skills and knowledge. Ensure you’re at the top of your game through credentials and certifications, like the ones offered through Construction Specifications Canada (CSC).
- Keep an eye on the industry and market, sense pressing and developing trends, and take advantage of the emergent opportunities. Join organizations, such as CSC, and get active within the industry.
- Define and document your own brand. Find opportunities to elevate your brand internally and externally.
- Intentionally build meaningful and impactful relationships with others to achieve goals and strengthen connections.
As we’re about to embark on a New Year, perhaps it’s time to think about our CoS, how to update and maintain it, and in some instances how to kickstart it. Remember, CSC as an organization facilitates career grown in many ways, so if you haven’t already, check out our programs and offerings and/or reach out to your local chapter representatives.
Happy Holidays! Yours in service. I am CSC.
