If you’re feeling stagnant in your current role and have been unsuccessful in your attempts to land a promotion or find a new job, you may also feel stuck. You’re probably wondering, “how do I prove I’m qualified to do the job?” Maybe you’re even considering getting another degree. However, as we all know, getting a degree is a major investment - both of your time and your finances. So what can you do when you’re short on both?

Here’s the thing, some careers absolutely require a degree. Medical professionals and lawyers? Absolutely.  Business Management and Information Technology? Let’s take a closer look. You may already possess many of the skills necessary, or can acquire them outside of a degree. Each situation is unique, but there are three options to consider before deciding it’s time to swap out your pantsuit for a syllabus. 

1. Focus on skill mastery.

First, understand your starting point. That is, acknowledge where you are in your current skill set. Are you a newbie? Or do you have an intermediate understanding? Once you know your starting point, you can focus on how far you have until the end goal - mastery! The key is to not view your starting point as a weakness, but instead, as a skill that you’re strengthening. 

Next, break down the gap between where you are and where you’re trying to go. Remember, smaller steps make goals more manageable. For instance, if you want to learn coding you should first decide which languages are best suitable for the work you have in mind. Let’s say you want to learn web development in Python. Now you have a clear path to research programs or courses that allow you to further develop that skill. 

2. Find a sponsor.

First, let me be clear - there is a difference between a sponsor and a mentor. While a mentor provides support and guidance, a sponsor provides influence and advocacy. And since you’re looking to win in the workplace, a sponsor can help unlock doors, actively represent you, and elevate your visibility. 

So how do you find a sponsor? While some companies have sponsorship programs, many don’t. If it’s something you’re serious about, you may need to identify a few potential leaders who can serve as your sponsor and do the work necessary to earn their trust - because at the end of the day, they’ll be putting their name on the line for you. This can include asking to be put on a high-profile project, volunteering to assist with a major program, or simply asking how you can support them. Whatever you do, the key is to do it well so they feel comfortable advocating for you.

3. Invest in a career coach.

Perhaps you’re still on the fence about investing in a career coach. Unsure how a career coach can help? A career coach provides perspective, so you approach problems in your career from a different direction. Additionally, a coach can provide strategies that push you past those stalling “what do I do next” moments.

While DIY is suitable for some situations, I don’t recommend it for major career moves. That’s because what you lose out on when trying to handle it all yourself is time and expertise. Career coaches tailor a plan that speaks to your wants and needs, while focusing on time-saving and result-proven techniques. So instead of sorting through 575 million+ google results for “how do I advance my career,” you implement a clear career plan that moves you forward. 

Next Steps

Looking for help navigating your career search? Whether it’s because you have no idea what you want to do next or because things just don’t seem to be working out in your favor, I’ve got you covered. Book one of my career strategy sessions today!