5 Ways to Power Your Personal Growth and Career Advancement in 2020
Whenever January comes to an end, so does many of our new year resolutions. As career-focused women, a lot of times work seems to tip the balance of life. While many of us may soon give up on our gym memberships or diets, this year can still be one full of professional and personal growth. So how can we continue our 9-5 grind while also building our skillset, making new friends, and exploring our passions?
Here are five ways that you can make 2020 a transformational year for you!
Explore a New Skillset
The job market is continuously becoming more competitive and employers are increasingly expecting candidates to be skilled in the latest platforms, tools, and technology. Luckily, your competitive edge doesn’t have to dwindle as your post-college years grow. Companies like General Assembly offer boot camps and other programs for enrollees of all career stages to learn valuable and marketable skills. You can learn everything from UX design to data analytics from other working professionals.
We have many options to enroll in short-term programs that will help us continue to excel in our day job while acquiring more sought after capabilities. In just a few months, you can expand your skillset, future job opportunities, and even salary.
Expand Your Circle
We all have passions and interests outside of our careers. Sometimes, however, we may find it difficult to find other people who share those interests as well. If you are looking for ways to expand your circle of like-minded women, there are plenty of options you can explore.
Whether it’s book clubs, visiting museums, or enjoying a boozy brunch, sites like Meetup are filled with activities coordinated by women looking to meet others in their cities. You can find lots of fun – and sometimes free – meetups happening in your area. Another way to meet new friends is through Bumble. Yes, that’s right. The beehive isn’t just for dating! Bumble BFF is another great way to meet women with similar interests. Connecting with your next brunch buddy or lifetime friend can be just one swipe away.
Making new friends in 2020 can go well beyond just happy hours and weekend activities. You never know if someone who you meet can inspire you or connect you to future mentors who will help transcend your career.
Which brings us to our next suggestion.
Grow Your Network
There can be a fine line between members of your circle versus your network. Sometimes, they are the same people. But oftentimes, they’re not. Networking is a constant buzzword that budding and seasoned professionals often hear thrown around. But how exactly do you expand your professional network? While there isn’t an exact formula, there are some practices you can incorporate to make the most of your networking.
One of the best ways is LinkedIn. Now this may seem obvious, but I’m not just talking about connecting with people who you may not even know. Similarly to Facebook, a lot of professionals promote events, such as panel discussions and workshops, on LinkedIn. These events are an opportunity to meet other professionals in your industry or a field you’re considering without the pressure of conducting business. You can learn about what others are doing in their career, seek professional advice, and hear about possible job opportunities. So next time you’re scrolling through your LinkedIn feed, keep an eye out for any events that someone in your network is hosting.
Another great way to grow your network is by attending conferences. Many conferences are not free, but you may be able to get your employer to comp your attendance. Some employers are willing to pay for conferences if they believe attending will help employees’ professional development.
If you find a conference that you would like to attend, make a case to your manager on how your attendance would benefit you as an employee, and ultimately the company. All in all, putting yourself out there and attending workshops, happy hours, conferences, and other events are great opportunities to expand your professional network in the new year.
Learn a New Hobby
Learning new skills, meeting new friends, and expanding your network are all great, but having some TLC time to yourself is beneficial as well. 2020 should be a year to explore your creativity and take on new hobbies that you’ve been putting on the back burner. Adult educational classes like those offered by Brooklyn Brainery in New York and Love & Make in Houston, allow you to explore new hobbies like soap making, photography, and calligraphy for as little as $40.
Remember a hobby should be something that helps you unwind and de-stress. Grab a friend or go by yourself and experience new pastimes that will help take your mind off of the hustle and bustle of your day job.
Consider a Side Gig
Have you always imagined being your own boss one day? Maybe you’re not ready to venture out on your own just yet, but there are still ways for you to explore your entrepreneurial side and build your portfolio. Whatever your skill may be – copywriting and graphic design, to name a few – you can market yourself to potential clients.
Create a portfolio of your work. Your examples can come from past school projects, internships, and jobs. If possible, digitize your portfolio and house it on your own personal website so you can always have it with you. Once you have your portfolio ready, it’s time to market yourself.
Sites like Upwork and Fiverr are good options to start off freelancing. You can also reach out to former employers or clients and offer to be a consultant on an ad hoc basis. Just make sure that any work won’t be considered a conflict of interest with your current employer.
Whether you decide to try all five ways or just one, encouraging yourself to make the most of your time outside of your job is the perfect aspiration to start off the new decade. Cheers to better job opportunities, a stronger network, and a more confident you!