Rate this article:
Average rating:
Total votes: 0
Think an MBA or law degree will advance your career? Think twice. Experts say the best way to advance is by having a trusted and powerful mentor. A mentor is a person who advises and coaches you, offers support and acts as your advocate. From the beginning, a mentor shows you the ropes, introduces you to the right people and points you in the right direction, suggesting training and professional development opportunities for career advancement. In short, a mentor works to ensure that you receive advantages for advancement. Credentials do open doors, but advancement requires more, including motivation and multiple networks.
Motivation is the toughest. Start by recognizing that you're in charge. You have skills and talents and like any professional, you need support -- lots of it. You need more than one person, too. Staying motivated over the long haul takes networks of people to tap. Online networking sites offer many valuable alternatives, whether you are looking for a mentor or want to be one. Through targeted searches, online profiles and direct introductions -- provided by Monster and aligned with your experience and expertise -- the opportunity for connections is endless. There are millions of professionals available that you can tap into any time.
Whether to relax, find assistance with projects, or gain career advice on promotions and raises, three types of networks will help you move forward.
Personal Networks
Family, friends and like-minded people whose eyes light up when they see you are all part of your personal network. These are the people who make you feel good or recharged when you're around them, who love you and who want to see you happy. Making time for your personal network is absolutely necessary for motivation.
Social Networks
These are networks of acquaintances you see less often. They are people you have fun with and see at parties, or people who enjoy similar hobbies such as working out, hiking, biking or going to the movies. If you're new in town, develop and expand your social networks by meeting people at places you enjoy or by taking continuing education classes or volunteering in your community.
Professional Networks
These are groups of people you meet even less often than social acquaintances. You see them at alumni gatherings, at professional meetings or in the workplace. Professional networks also include former coworkers, bosses, academic advisors and professors. Career counselors can also be part of your professional network as well as connections you make through online networking sites. Web sites allow you to reach millions of potential contacts you wouldn't otherwise meet. You can quickly get to know potential contacts online by viewing their profiles before you get in touch with them to see if their skills, background or experience match your needs. This ensures that you're not wasting time contacting people who have nothing to offer you, and to whom you have nothing to offer.
Although there are no guarantees for advancement, staying motivated and strengthening your personal, social and professional networks will earn you a positive reputation. Online, built-in feedback ratings help network members see the level and quality of another member's contributions in the community at a glance. If you begin to tap your networks and take action on your goals, you'll be motivated to move forward. If not, it may be time to see a career counselor for a review of your accomplishments and goals. You may realize, too, that making lateral moves or continuing your role at a deeper level is the best form of career advancement and personal reward.
Center for Career/Life Planning © 1999