Sareena Hopkins
Executive Director, Canadian Career Development Foundation
When it comes to your career, are you where you want to be right now? Are you moving toward the future you want? If not, how do you become the architect of your career?
Career development is the lifelong process of managing your learning and work to build the future you want. So, are you managing or are you letting your career happen to you? For far too many people, it’s the latter.
We asked career development experts from across Canada to join us in defining what lies at the heart of career success in today’s complex labour market. Interestingly, there was considerable consensus and our collective advice might surprise you!
- Be True to You – Your career is all yours, so be sure it reflects who you are and the life you want to live. Ask yourself: What values matter to me the most? What are my natural strengths? What issues captivate me? What makes me want to leap out of bed in the morning?
- Be Curious – Opportunity is all around you, but seeing it requires vigilance. Ask your family, friends, and acquaintances about the work they do. Watch for trends in the news and in your local community. Consider how opportunities you identify align with your own values, strengths, and passions.
- Be Nimble – In today’s labour market, change is constant and career pathways are not so clearly defined. The willingness to adapt and quickly pivot is key to success. To flex your flexibility muscle, try saying ‘yes’ whenever you can to new learning and experiences.
Your career will unfold whether you manage it or not. You can cross your fingers and hope for the best or you can be the architect that builds it. When you know yourself and are constantly curious about the world around you, you’re ready to jump into (or create!) opportunities that move you closer to YOUR preferred future.
This article is sponsored by the Canadian Council for Career Development (3CD).
