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Learn to communicate, verbally and in writing -

Communicating effectively will help you in your career success. Whether it’s an everyday professional conversation or a more formal presentation, work on being clear and concise.

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Never stop learning -

Having a "learner’s mindset" will set you apart in a good way. Take advantage of courses, workshops, and reading materials to stay updated and improve your skills. Continuous learning means you stay relevant and extremely competitive in your field.

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Dream big and make a plan -

Set ambitious career goals and create a strategic plan to achieve them. Breaking down your goals into manageable steps and tracking your progress regularly will help you continuously show up as your best self.

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Stay meaningfully connected with your peers - Networking and maintaining meaningful connections through regular communication and support will help you build professional relationships and potentially open new doors.

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Ask questions -

Asking questions might feel intimidating at times, but do your best to do so. It demonstrates your eagerness to learn. Additionally, seeking clarification can prevent mistakes and enhance your overall knowledge.

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Learn to take notes quickly -

While active listening is essential, sometimes if there’s a lot of information things can get lost in the mix. Developing the ability to take quick and effective notes can significantly improve your productivity. Good note-taking helps you capture essential information and reference it later.

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Take time to digest, decipher, and relate your notes to your existing knowledge -

After you take notes, spend time understanding and integrating them with what you already know. This practice will reinforce your learning and ensure better retention of information.

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Build an online brand -

Create a strong online presence and brand that showcases your skills and accomplishments to potential employers. Use platforms like GitHub and LinkedIn to highlight your expertise and professional journey.

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Utilize your resources effectively -

Resources come in all shapes and sizes. Make the most of the tools, networks, and information available to you. Efficiently and effectively leveraging resources can streamline your work and boost your career development.

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Join mentorship programs as a mentee (and mentor, if possible) -

Participating in a mentorship program allows you to gain valuable insights and learn things that you might not have had access to before. Additionally, if possible, volunteer as a mentor for younger folks and share your knowledge. Being both a mentor and mentee provides diverse perspectives and enriches your professional growth.

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Understand communication etiquette -

The need to communicate is all around us, and mastering proper communication etiquette fosters respect and professionalism in the workplace. Be mindful of your tone, timing, and audience to convey your messages effectively. Especially when writing emails, a professional yet approachable demeanor is needed.

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Learn small talk in social situations - Mastering small talk can ease social interactions and build rapport with colleagues. Practice engaging in light and casual conversations to connect with others and create a work environment that’s friendly.

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Take an intro programming class to understand coding structure - Even if you're not in a technical role or the most tech-savvy individual out there, understanding basic programming can enhance your problem-solving skills. An introductory class on coding can help you communicate better with technical teams and make you a more versatile and well-rounded colleague and leader.

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Reflect on your accomplishments and successes -

Regularly reviewing your achievements can boost your confidence and motivation. Reflecting on your successes also helps you identify strengths to leverage in future projects or in various roles.

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Reflect on your lessons learned -

Analyzing your mistakes and lessons learned is crucial for personal and professional growth. Use these reflections to avoid repeating errors and to improve your professional skills.

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Be transparent with your manager -

Your manager is there to help you, so open and honest communication with them builds trust and facilitates better collaboration. Aim to keep your manager informed about your progress, applicable challenges, and even your career aspirations.

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Research background about an industry of interest - Before committing to an industry, company, or role, it’s important to understand the industry landscape and strategic trends. Conduct thorough research to stay ahead and align your efforts with industry demands.

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Learn to visually represent information - Many people are visual learners and even those who aren't have that as their predominant learning style will often appreciate complex information being simplified. Use charts, graphs, and infographics to present your ideas clearly, especially to non-technical audiences.

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Learn how to interview and represent the bigger picture of your projects - Effective interviewing skills are crucial for career advancement, both within a company and externally. Practice articulating the broader impact and significance of your projects and skills to showcase your transferable value to potential employers.

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Keep on-going projects and challenges - Proactively engaging in continuous projects as well as seeking out new challenges keeps your skills sharp. This approach demonstrates your dedication and readiness to tackle complex tasks, and that you’re flexible and nimble.

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Try to reduce your commute time - Doing your best to minimize commute time can improve work-life balance and productivity. It also allows for more flexible networking opportunities and the ability to dedicate extra hours when necessary. Making this a best practice from the start will help shape it as a priority in your mind.

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Build a comfortable support team - A strong support system can provide emotional and practical assistance during challenging times. Rely on trusted friends and family for guidance, encouragement, and advice. Consider hiring a life or career coach to help in this regard as well.

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Help your peers, don’t compete with them - Collaboration and mutual support create a positive work environment and build lasting professional relationships. Helping peers fosters goodwill and can lead to reciprocal benefits in the future. Many people think they should compete to be the best, but this can lead to negative feelings and broken relationships.

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Figure out what you love to do by looking at where you spend the most time - Spend time identifying your passions by observing activities that naturally captivate your interest and time. Then, work to align your career with what you love doing, as this will enhance job satisfaction and performance.

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Build rapport with an advocate - This is someone who can speak on your behalf and push your career forward. Cultivate relationships with influential individuals who can vouch for your skills and potential, as this will definitely come in handy as you progress in your career.

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Understand your career path option expiration dates -

Be aware of opportunities within your career path and the time needed to make strategic decisions. Some career moves have specific time frames, so plan accordingly to maximize your potential.

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Understand all the skills needed to enter an industry -

First research and subsequently acquire most or all of the necessary skills for your desired industry. Comprehensive knowledge of required competencies enhances your chances of being hired and later promoted.

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Take some personality exams to see where your personality fits - Personality assessments are both interesting and can provide insights into roles that suit your traits and preferences. Pursue positions that align with your natural inclinations and passions to ensure long-term career satisfaction.

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Take ownership of projects -

Demonstrate initiative and accountability by taking charge of projects. Meeting challenges head-on and in a timely manner showcases your leadership potential and problem-solving abilities to colleagues and managers alike.

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Don’t wait to start planning! -

Procrastination can hinder your career progress. Begin planning and executing your career goals immediately to seize opportunities and achieve success.

Sources: (See Lemons on Adventures)

See also: Questions to ask yourself to discover your ideal career

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