3 Ways to Invest in Yourself and Your Career

Recently, I had coffee with a former colleague of mine–a young woman I supervised at a previous company–and we talked about her career and what her next steps should be as she transitions into the next phase of her job. As an adjunct professor and as someone who has been through this process myself, I often find myself talking about this topic with young people.

In my experience, it’s important to make time to work on your career health, just as you should make time for your mental and physical health. Just as you need to work on both cardio and strength, you can find ways to stretch and exercise your skills. Here are three ways that are particularly useful.

Find and Attend Conferences

A former supervisor of mine used to say that it was really important to keep learning and that conferences were a great resource. Learn more about your field (or the field that you want to be in) by researching events that will push you outside your comfort zones. While you’re researching, talk to your company and see if they will pay for this kind of professional development–even if it’s slightly outside of your current field, if it’s a conference whose subject matter will benefit you in your job and/or help the company fill knowledge gaps, you may find that they’re more than willing to foot the bill.

Join Local Professional Organizations

No matter what field you’re in, you can find Meet-Ups and/or trade organizations to join. I’ve been a member of New York Women in Communications for several years now and always find it beneficial to go to panel discussions and presentations with their excellent guests. Again, even if you’re a newbie in a field, it’s worthwhile to join an organization so that you can learn from guests speakers and other members.

Conduct Informational Interviews

Learn more about your chosen field, others’ career paths, and the skills that managers value by speaking to people who are actually working in that field. Start with a trusted and connected colleague and ask him/her to introduce you to 2-3 other people that they think can help you to learn more. Schedule 15-20 minute phone calls or meetings with them and pick their brains about how they got into the field, what areas they think are up-and-coming, and what skills are essential for you to brush up. Then ask each of them to introduce you to 2-3 more people and start the process over. You’ll find that most people are willing to share their knowledge and experiences.