Balancing Career Development and Work
Tips for balancing project management responsibilities with career development goals, including networking and seeking stretch assignments.
As a young aspiring professional looking to embark on a journey in project management, it’s important to understand that becoming a successful project manager is an ongoing process of learning, growth, and development. In this blog, we will discuss how to balance your project management responsibilities with your career development goals, including networking and seeking stretch assignments.
Series
This blog is from a series of the 12 things you MUST master, to be the BEST, Project Manager, I just wish someone wrote them out for me at the start of my career.
Never stop learning – The Learning Mindset
As a project manager, it’s important to strike a balance between managing projects effectively and continuing to develop your own skills and career. Here are some tips to help you achieve this balance:
Network strategically:
Building relationships with key stakeholders and influencers in your industry can help you learn about new opportunities and stay on top of emerging trends. Attend conferences and industry events, join professional associations, and connect with colleagues on LinkedIn to expand your network and stay connected.
Seek out stretch assignments: Balancing Career Development
Look for opportunities to take on new challenges and stretch yourself beyond your current role. This will not only help you develop new skills, but it will also demonstrate to your employer that you are committed to your own professional development.
Continuously learn and improve: Balancing Career Development
Stay up-to-date with the latest tools and technologies in your industry by reading blogs, attending webinars, and taking online courses. Pursuing certifications and other professional development opportunities can also help you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your field.
Set goals and measure progress: Balancing Career Development
Establish clear career development goals and track your progress towards achieving them. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and it will also help you identify areas where you need to improve.
Communicate with your manager: Balancing Career Development
Be proactive in communicating with your manager about your career development goals and how you plan to achieve them. This will help ensure that your manager is supportive of your efforts and can provide you with the necessary resources and support.
By following these tips, you can balance your project management responsibilities with your career development goals, and achieve success both as a project manager and as a professional in your field.
Some recommended reading materials on this topic include:
- “The world class Project Manager, a professional development guide” by Robert K. Wysocki
- “Project Management for Development Professionals” by Paul C. Dinsmore
- “The Project Manager’s Survival Guide:” by Jim Taylor
We hope that these tips and resources will help you on your journey toward becoming a successful project manager while also pursuing your career development goals.
Thought Leaders: Balancing Career Development
here are some references to thought leaders and their works on the topic of balancing project management and career development:
- “The First 90 Days” by Michael D. Watkins – In this book, Watkins outlines strategies for successfully transitioning into a new role or project, while still keeping an eye on long-term career goals.
- “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander – This book explores ways to approach challenges and opportunities with a growth mindset, which can be valuable for balancing project management and career development.
- “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries – Ries’s book offers insights on how to balance the need to manage day-to-day operations with the need to innovate and pursue new opportunities.
- “Stretch: How to Future-Proof Yourself for Tomorrow’s Workplace” by Karie Willyerd and Barbara Mistick – This book explores the idea of “stretching” beyond your comfort zone to develop new skills and pursue career growth opportunities.
These are just a few examples of works that can provide valuable insights and strategies for balancing project management responsibilities with career development goals.
Great Book Ideas
Here are some books that could be relevant for your blog post:
- “The Project Manager’s Guide to Healthier Project Communications” by Dr. Ruth Pearce Link:
- “The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People” by Carol Eikleberry
- “Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager” by Kory Kogon, Suzette Blakemore, and James Wood
- “Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Exam Prep” by Sohel Akhter Link:
- “Stretch: How to Future-Proof Yourself for Tomorrow’s Workplace” by Karie Willyerd and Barbara Mistick
I hope these suggestions help!
