Comments on: How to Save a Stagnant Career

By: In a Career Rut? Here's What To Do. - Activ:8 Career Coaching

In a Career Rut? Here's What To Do. - Activ:8 Career Coaching — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 18:52:16 +0000

[…] recently came across a CrucialSkills.com article that posed a very relevant question from a concerned […]

By: Pam Marcus

Pam Marcus — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 16:28:26 +0000

Great article. I work in the federal government in the science sector and many of us don’t know what to do when we hit the glass ceiling. We need intellectual stimulation and development, but don’t know how to find an opportunity in which we can obtain that. I have shared the piece with my leaders. Thank you for continuing to provide useful insight regarding work, life, and everything else. Best wishes for 2016.

By: dean jackson

dean jackson — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 05:12:12 +0000

FWIW; a second bachelor’s degree seems really, really odd. Bachelor’s degrees aren’t normally vocational; they aren’t aimed at making you great at a single job, but aimed at making you eligible to gain more skills to later make you great at a wide range of jobs.

If you already have one bachelor’s degree… additional bachelor’s are a career step backwards. If you want more skills and a broader certification, get a certificate, not a second bachelors. If you’re all in, and want to potentially increase your responsibility and your salary in doing so, consider a masters degree after choosing very, very carefully. (And realize that a huge part of many masters degrees is also networking, again, not vocational knowledge.)

By: Doreen

Doreen — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 20:25:38 +0000

I agree with all the points that have been made and would like to add a thought that I heard this week from a very high level executive at a huge company (280,000 employees). He used the analogy of his son’s growth patterns. The boy seems to grow out first and then stretch out again and gain in height, then vertically again, and then more height. He thinks this is how employees need to think about advancement and development – build your base horizontally as much as possible in order to advance vertically. Without the broad base (often gained through lateral moves or projects that take you in to new territory), your advancement vertically may never happen. Be willing to move to roles that don’t necessarily advance your salary. That way, you won’t have to “start over” at a new company; you are growing within your own without “peaking.”

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 12:21:20 +0000

I see Ralph has made the point I was going to say.
In that you may think you have ‘peaked’, but I am sure your customers are not at a peak, or your team and organization are probably not at a peak, so there are most likely unlimited areas to grow and improve (and make a diference) within that. All the best.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:19:52 +0000

I agree with David and with Pat’s response. As a trainer and software implementation consultant I have done what you suggested and it is working. I earned the CPLP certification from the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) – graciously sponsored by my organization – which really helped me nail down the over-arching view of my industry. I started doing some side work for a consulting company in the evenings and weekends and now I even take a day or two off here and there to facilitate for that company.

I know there are still a couple of areas that I can really improve in and those are my current focus. Some years ago I had the “what’s in it for me” perspective “tamped down” just a bit. Turns out, as an employee that isn’t as viable a perspective as we might think. I am trying to focus more on “what’s in what I am doing right now – for you” – whether by “you” I mean a customer, my boss, my direct reports, or the company as a whole. Not only is it more productive, it is infinitely more satisfying and when I think it might be time to move on, I really come at that thought process from a much more confident and interesting position.

I also volunteer with the local chapter of the ASTD. That has helped my confidence and my viability in the marketplace. Best wishes to the writer and to all the rest of us trying to find our way in the world!

By: Pat Bellace

Pat Bellace — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:14:41 +0000

A few more thoughts on this topic. First, this person may want to seek some honest feedback as to his or her performance and, more importantly, how he or she is perceived in the company. The responses he/she got may indicate that he or she is NOT well regarded in the company and not considered promotable or worth further investment (education, opportunities, etc.) Since the unhelpful responses came from both HR and managers, this may well be the case. Second, a company’s policies (like the tuition policy) are designed for a broad range of needs, not the career ambitions of a specific individual. Your advice was dead on: individuals need to invest in themselves.

By: Tweets that mention Crucial Skills » Save a Stagnant Career -- Topsy.com

Tweets that mention Crucial Skills » Save a Stagnant Career -- Topsy.com — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:48:11 +0000

[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Hauke Borow, Crucial Skills. Crucial Skills said: Crucial Skills: Save a Stagnant Career http://bit.ly/gHUjIY #newsletter […]