Planning one’s career requires setting both short-term and long-term goals, and ensuring that you challenge yourself to learn new skills. 

With time, you also have to tackle issues such as salary increment, especially if you have been working for an organisation for quite some time and you’re pretty sure that your skills have contributed to its growth. 

Experts support the view that professional growth is an area worth investing in, and that through engaging in positive career development activities like attending classes and workshops that equip you with required skills, can propel your career to the next level.

Gloria Mutesi, a businesswoman in Kigali is of the view that each individual ought to have unique skills, which is why she advises to discover them because they may assist you while applying for a new job or if you’re requesting for a promotion at your very company. For her, employers wish to elevate employees who have something unique to show. 

She carries on that if you plan for both short-term and long-term goals, craft a plan on how to fulfil both personal and professional targets. 

"Consider where you want to be in the next five to fifteen years. That way, you will be forced to push further than you can imagine, and once you give it your whole time and skills, you will accomplish it. Always have a deadline as it will assist you work to the best of your knowledge and abilities to attain your objectives,” she says.

Mutesi states that once you know your goals, take practical steps to reach them. For example, you can enrol for academic courses in your field or in any other domain you’re interested in. If you wish to switch careers, make sure you have the knowledge for how the new job operates. 

"Interacting and networking with others can keep you in the hook when it comes to your future career. Join professional groups online and be part of their meetings, eventually, you will develop connections with people in new careers, a thing that may leave you with many options in case you wish for any professional advice,” she says. 

According to Sam Nkurunziza, an entrepreneur and a freelance writer at a local online media platform, you should consider volunteering, interning, or taking on part-time work, as this will equip you with hands-on experience in your desired future career, and an advantage to your CV if you’re looking for a job. 

He notes to create connections with the people you meet in diverse industries as they would recommend, offer you a job or job reference. 

Nkurunziza states that you can opt for an experienced mentor who can assist you to identify barriers in your way to your next step. They can also push you out of your comfort zone so that you make the most of opportunities in team meetings or presentations to perform at your best. Mentoring is a strong career development tool that can help boost one’s professional goals and aspirations.

Experts say that mentors create healthy boundaries that work in your favour. For example, they help set priorities, define intolerable behaviour and provide guidance regarding balanced work-life scheduling. Mentors also help bring awareness to any issues that may be affecting your emotional well-being and provide solutions to overcome any negatives with boundaries.