Career Management for Working Adults: A Step-by-Step Framework

Several decades ago, it was common for an employee to begin a job at one company and keep the same position at the same business for their entire career. These days, few career paths remain written in stone. Workers are more agile than ever, changing careers and relocating states to pursue evermore challenging and financially rewarding employment opportunities.

Intentionally cultivating new skills and planning for career growth is known as career management, and a degree like App State Online’s Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning can help professionals gain a solid grasp of the process. Understanding this important self-driven strategy can help you better prepare for your future. No matter where you want to end up in life, there’s a career path to get you there.

What Is Career Management?

Career management is a proactive strategy to achieve short- and long-term professional goals. It involves identifying objectives (a desired position or pay grade), finding out what achieving these objectives requires (upskilling, certification, or even moving to a new location) and taking the steps to realize them.

These objectives can vary in level of ambition and time frame. For example, one objective might be to earn a specific promotion or pay raise at a current organization, while another might involve pursuing a graduate degree to switch career paths entirely.

The intent of career management is to pursue goals and ambitions mindfully, establishing and executing plans rather than simply maintaining the status quo. Successful career management should also be flexible enough to allow individuals to change their goals, foster and explore new interests, or develop new leadership tools. While career management can help individuals clarify their ultimate goals, it should never limit their personal and professional growth.

Why Career Management Matters More Than Ever

Career management is increasingly essential in today’s dynamic job market. Gone are the days when employees worked at a single company, steadily receiving raises and promotions until retirement. Now workers have to be their own advocates and take proactive steps to set and achieve their goals.

Here are some of the reasons why career management is an important part of everyone’s planning.

1. Older Workers Remaining in the Workforce

Baby boomers are increasingly reluctant to retire or return to work after retirement. In 2024, 13% of retired baby boomers reentered the workforce, according to LinkedIn. This can mean that there are fewer pathways to higher management or executive roles than previous generations saw. This can cause feelings of stagnation among employees interested in moving upward in the traditional manner. Effective career management strategies can help people expand their skill sets and widen their horizons to find new opportunities.

2. The Need for Digital Upskilling

The ever-increasing role of technology in the workplace goes far beyond the information technology (IT) department. Technological concepts such as analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to play an increasing role in all areas of business, from the executive C-suite to the customer service desk. This has made digital upskilling more meaningful than ever. An effective career management plan that focuses on digital upskilling helps workers position themselves to take on new roles.

3. The Power of Increased Value

Career management strategies that focus on training and development increase individuals’ potential for productivity and innovation. This can make them increasingly valuable company assets who are prepared to change and remain productive as corporate strategies evolve.

Five Tips to Manage Your Career and Reach Your Goals

Even professionals who are satisfied with their current place of work may find themselves looking for new challenges or more financially lucrative career paths. As years pass, personal and professional goals will likely change. Career management can help professionals guide their career development so their careers always align with their passions and goals.

The process often begins with setting clear career goals that align with personal aspirations. By identifying opportunities for growth, working professionals gain real-world experience that enhances employability.

Career management is often focused on continually cultivating skills that enable professionals to maintain relevant competencies and remain equipped for an ever-changing job market. These five tips can help current or prospective professionals advance their careers and meet their goals.

1. Assess Strengths and Weaknesses

Before planning an effective career path, individuals should understand their strengths and weaknesses. These characteristics could include both personal and professional traits. For example, those who get nervous speaking in public may want to consider signing up for groups that help people overcome that fear, such as Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization that helps develop public speaking and communication competencies.

Understanding one’s own strengths can help people better understand what career fields could fit their skills, while knowing their pain points may help them overcome them.

2. Set Goals

Professionals at any point in their careers can benefit from setting short- and long-term goals that align with their aspirations. Don’t be afraid to set ambitious goals. It’s far more advantageous to set the goal of becoming a CEO than to settle for vice president somewhere. Every few years, professionals should revisit these goals, note which ones they have achieved and be willing to set new goals. Even partway through their careers, setting fresh goals can be exciting and motivating.

3. Develop New Skills

When workers cultivate new skills, they help both themselves and their employers. A resume that shows continued education and the pursuit of graduate-level work can be a plus for anyone seeking a promotion or change in career.

On-the-job experience alone is often insufficient to qualify an employee for a higher-level position. Developing new skills can come through certifications, degrees or simply reading about topics related to the relevant field.

4. Network

Networking affords many benefits when it comes to career management. Professional connections made through networking may become mentors or future employers. There are several ways to build these connections. Networking can happen online, especially through a professional networking platform like LinkedIn. Many professions also maintain networking events and organizations. Joining the local chamber of commerce can also open up important networking opportunities.

5. Evaluate Progress

People who are starting their career management journeys should regularly reevaluate their processes. They should also ask themselves if they’ve reached their goals, consider if their goals are still relevant and make any necessary changes.

Professionals should also ensure they leave room for potential delays or setbacks. If specific goals remain out of reach, they may need to be amended. Additionally, professionals can consider pouring more time into networking, skill development and other areas that could open new possibilities in the future.

Further Your Career Through Career Management

As we grow, our ambitions and priorities change. Where we work should also evolve to keep up with our changing personal and professional goals. As the career landscape continues to evolve, so do professional expectations. Many companies view internal promotions and career moves as a sign of a highly motivated employee.

If you are looking for an online degree program that teaches career management skills, consider the BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning from App State Online. With flexible eight-week terms taught by our dedicated faculty, you’ll learn how to set professional goals and develop other career management-related skills that you can hone throughout your career so you’re always prepared for the future.

Find out more about how you can prioritize your professional development with App State Online.

Recommended Readings

5 Organizational Leadership Careers for Graduates

The Role of a Business Development Representative

What Is an Organizational Leadership Degree?

Sources:

Avocor, “Evolution of the Workplace: Past, Present and Future”

Forbes, “Grow or Go:Why Career Development Matters More Than Ever”

Growthspace, Career Management

Indeed, “What Is Career Management? (And How to Create a Plan)”

Indeed, Why Career Management Is Important (With Benefits and Tips)

LinkedIn, “The Return of the Retirees: Why Baby Boomers Are Rejoining the Workforce”