This week’s blog includes a post by IU Alumni Association staff member, Sarah Sparks. Sarah’s insights on her career journey are not only applicable to the work you do in your local chapters and boards, but it might also strike a chord for personal and professional growth.
Professional Growth was something so foreign to me until recently. I never saw myself as excelling at anything, even in my career. That is not to say that I didn’t do my job well, I just never knew how to push myself to grow professionally. Maybe it was lack of confidence, maybe lack of support-maybe a little bit of both. I would like to give you my tips on how to really grow in your current position. I want to share my story about how I have really grown these past few months at the IU Alumni Association. I hope to reach those who feel stuck and unable to grow or improve in their jobs. I am living proof that it can and will happen if you open yourself up to the possibilities!
Get out of your comfort zone – I know how doing something you are not comfortable with can make you feel so uneasy. Even as an extrovert, putting myself out there into the world makes my heart race and my palms sweat. But do it anyway. There will be benefits, I promise! An example of this for me was when I met with Caroline Dowd-Higgins for the first time. We were talking about strengths and she asked me if I liked to write. I explained that I have a blog on the Internet writing about military life and the daily struggles this life can bring. She challenged me write a blog post for the IUAA. So I did, and it scared me to death. I love to write but that does not mean that I am a great writer, so putting my piece in someone else’s hands to critique terrified me. To my greatest pleasure it was published. I was ecstatic! I urge you to take a risk, put yourself out there, no matter how terrified you are. If not now, when?
Seek Knowledge – I signed up for IU’s ETC (Excellence Training Certification) classes last fall never expecting much from it. Boy, was I wrong! We have heard presentations on Effective Communication Skills, Self-Esteem, Taking Initiative, Assertiveness, and so many more. The amazing people I have met in these classes have taught me so much about myself. So, if you are able to take some professional development classes, sign up without hesitation. The person I was when I entered my first ETC class is not the same person I am today. I have grown, gained confidence, and have started to take more risks in my career, partly because of what I learned in those classes.
Along with seeking out professional development classes, I encourage you to read. Read books, articles, blogs – whatever you can get your hands on. There are so many wonderful resources at your fingertips that will encourage you and give you the confidence to pursue your ambitions. One of the books I read recently is Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg . What a wonderful book. She really opened my eyes to help me learn that my own self-doubt has held me back numerous times in my life. One of my favorite take-aways from this book is to always take a seat at the table. From this day forward, I always will. Explore books, articles, etc., and seek out new points of view. It will be so worth it!
Surround yourself with people who will make you shine – I was fortunate enough to meet some fabulous, strong women these past few months; women that I strive to be more like. They have pushed me to be more proactive, to get out of my comfort zone, and to do things in my career that I never thought was possible. I have had some wonderful supervisors in my career and they have helped shape me to be the person I am today. But everyone needs a cheerleader or a coach, someone who sees your potential even when you do not see it in yourself. Surround yourself with strong, positive, empowering role models. Not only will you gain confidence and self-esteem, you will benefit from some amazing new people in your life.
Lastly, the most important piece for professional development I feel is to believe in yourself and your success. So many times I have walked away from projects and not taken my seat at the table. Or, I was not proactive in seeking out more responsibility simply because I did not feel worthy or that I belonged on a certain project. Those days are over. I know that I am smart, and talented, and can contribute to the greater good because I now believe that I can do it. Believe in yourself. You can do it!