5 Professional Resolutions for the New Year (That You Can Keep!)

Living with COVID-19 for the past two years has presented unique challenges personally and professionally for everyone, but one area that may have felt the sting of the pandemic more than most has been setting and meeting 2020 and 2021 career goals. As we welcome 2022, we have five professional New Year’s resolutions that can help you advance your career, no matter your career level or whether you’re working in a remote, hybrid, or in-office environment.

When you hear the phrase “personal brand,” you might think of social media influencers or self-help gurus, but your personal brand is all about knowing who you are and who you strive to be. Think through the following questions:

• In what do you excel?
• What motivates and energizes you?
• What do you bring to the table that sets you apart from others?
• Who do you help with your work, and how do they benefit from it?
• Which leaders do you look up to and why?

Once you have a better sense of who you are now, you can delve into where you want your career to take you in the future. If you need more assistance in this area, consider speaking with a career coach to help guide you.

Spend time doing a deep dive into how you’d like to see your career progress. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What role would I like to see myself in after one year? Three years? Five years? Ten or more years?
• What skills, education, certifications, or other knowledge are required at each stage?

To help answer these questions, find examples of professionals currently in the roles you identified. Read their LinkedIn profiles to see their skills and education, or better yet, ask them to connect (see resolution #4!). If they are open to having a conversation with you, ask them about the professional development opportunities they took and get their advice on what you should focus on to reach their level.

Once you’ve considered your career track, it’s time to look into professional development opportunities.

One positive that came from the pandemic is the increase in virtual offerings to learn new skills and build expertise. At Gannett Fleming, we launched our INSIGHTS webcast program to help professionals in the AEC industry earn professional development hours and certifications live and on demand. The best part? These webcasts, taught by thought leaders and industry experts on a wide array of topics, are completely free!

You should also check into any professional development offerings your employer may provide. The best employers will prioritize learning and development for every employee, from early-career professionals to senior leaders. These offerings may include:

• Internal programs, classes, and courses led by your company’s subject matter experts.
• Sponsorship of employees to participate in external programs, classes, and courses.
• Tuition reimbursement for degree programs.
• And more.

One of the best ways to advance your career is making professional connections and building your network. An excellent way to do this is through social media, particularly LinkedIn.

If you’re looking for a place to start, seek connections from your current company, past employers, and professionals you’ve met through conferences, professional or alumni organizations, and other industry events. Once you’ve engaged with folks you know, try joining member groups and connecting with new people who share a similar professional background to you or one to which you aspire.

If you’re looking for ways to make connections outside of the virtual world, joining industry organizations and professional societies can be excellent venues for making new connections in the spaces that matter to your professional growth. The good news is that many of these groups have dedicated networking events to help professionals meet new people in their fields. As time and funding allow, attending conferences, panels, and social events geared toward your career track provide additional learning opportunities and the chance to network.

It might seem counterintuitive, especially with “hustle culture” growing in prominence, but one of the best ways to get ahead at work can be to give yourself a break from it.

Finding a hobby separate from work or a drive to make money can improve your mental health by relieving stress and helping you to relax. A hobby can be a purposeful activity that you do solo or one that you do with friends and family to unwind. If you don’t already have a hobby that you enjoy, test out a few to find what feels good to you. Here are a few suggestions to try:

• Building toy models.
• Crocheting or knitting.
• Adult coloring books or paint by numbers.
• An outdoor activity like hiking, kayaking, or biking.
• Starting or joining a book club.

Additionally, it’s essential to prioritize work-life balance. At Gannett Fleming, we value our employees and respect them as people first. That’s why we offer competitive PTO and have a flextime policy, which gives employees the ability to “flex” their hours without using PTO to accommodate and incorporate the things in their personal lives that matter most to them.

If achieving career growth and work-life balance are on your list of resolutions for 2022, take your job search to the next level with a career at Gannett Fleming. Join our talent community and apply to our open positions today!