What are development opportunities?

Any activity that lets you expand your professional knowledge base, whether hard or soft skills, is a
development opportunity. You don’t have to be constrained by a formal training program.
Professional growth can be as simple as reading a book on leadership or learning how to network.

If you're interested in learning new skills or earning certifications but don't feel you have time, many
learning formats are more flexible. Consider taking online courses, watching seminars, or finding a
mentor at work. Even a few hours a week can help you grow.

As your skill set increases, so will your value as an employee, especially if your growth directly
relates to your job.

If you get a relevant certification, for example, your employer could reward your initiative with more
responsibility, a promotion, or a salary increase, taking you one more step toward your professional
development goals.

Invest in your career

Get your promotion. Make your career change. Build the future you dream about. And do it faster
with a world-class BetterUp Coach by your side.

Find your Coach

The benefits of career development
Promotions and benefits aren’t the only way development opportunities can help you. Around 90%
of workers felt stuck in their jobs in 2022, and career growth is one way to find a new appreciation
for the role.

Here are some other benefits of seeking career development opportunities:

Discover new areas of interest: Your attempts to broaden your knowledge could introduce you to an
alternative career path or specialization that you find more fulfilling.

Provide a new challenge: If you’ve been working the same job for a while, its tasks and
responsibilities have likely become routine. Learning something new may spark innovation and
improve your process.

Keep you feeling motivated: Upskilling could put you back in touch with why you entered your field
of expertise in the first place. You can reignite your enthusiasm for your job, set new goals, and
encourage your best performance moving forward.

Impact your job search: If you’re making a career change or are looking for a new job, development
opportunities can help you make new contacts and find your path. You can also leverage your
expanded skill set to apply for advanced or specialty roles.

Increase confidence and credibility: Adding new certifications and skills to your resume
demonstrates your commitment to the field. You’ll know your abilities are up to the challenge of an
evolving workplace.

Confident-woman-standing-in-front-of-post-it-filled-window-examples-of-development-
opportunities
Examples of career development opportunities
Each avenue of career growth offers its own benefits and challenges and can impact your
professional development differently. If you’re going to put the time and effort into these
opportunities, choose ones that suit your goals. Here are 20 ways to develop professionally:

1. Professional organizations
Most professions have an affiliated association to keep workers up to date with the latest industry
trends, hiring opportunities, and best practices. Become a member to stay up to date and meet
people in the same field as you.

2. Networking events
Connect with other professionals at an industry networking event. The relationships you develop
could provide insight into your work, referrals to exciting opportunities, and professional references.

3. Industry conferences
Similar to networking events, conferences let you connect with other professionals, attend seminars
led by subject matter experts, and explore opportunities in your field.

4. Self-awareness training
Many online courses, assessments, and webinars can provide insight into your individual habits,
motivations, and passions. This increased self-awareness can help you understand yourself and your
professional motivations better.

5. Coaching
Get professional insight into your development from a career coach. A coach can guide you through
your next career move, evaluate your existing skill set, and identify opportunities for improvement.
They’ll cheer you on as you continue to grow.

6. Performance reviews
Find out where you stand at work by meeting with your manager to review what you do well and
what you should improve. You can also discuss your professional goals and opportunities for
advancement in your current job.

7. Internal presentations
Find a topic or project you’re passionate about and share it with your department or organization.
Test your public speaking, analysis, and communication skills.

8. Special assignments
Take the opportunity to work on projects with a new team or on a new topic. You’ll expand your
professional network, be exposed to new work processes, and have the chance to develop new
skills.

9. Internships
If you’re launching your career or considering switching to a new field, an internship can help you
investigate different jobs and responsibilities before making a leap. Some internships are part-time
or paid so you can continue to support yourself while exploring your options.

10. Mentorship
Engaging with a mentor can provide valuable insight into your role and industry. They can also offer
guidance and advice to help you advance your career. Choose a mentor who has followed a similar
path to the one you want to forge.

Woman-mentoring-group-about-work-tasks-examples-of-development-opportunities

11. Job shadowing

For anyone interested in exploring new employment opportunities, job shadowing gives you a day-
in-the-life overview of what it’s like to work in that field. The experience could help you decide
whether it’s a role you want to grow into.

12. Informational interviews

Discover more about your chosen profession by chatting casually with someone working in the field.
Ask about their skills, career progression, and a typical day to decide if it’s the job for you.

They can also help you plan your next steps by suggesting which certifications or qualifications you
need to succeed.

13. Promotions
Seeking a more senior position within your company shows commitment to your development. A
new role can teach you new skills and give you experience doing something new.

14. Lateral career moves

A lateral career change means finding a new position that teaches you new things, even if it doesn’t
give you a raise. It can give you more experience at a company that might fit you better or have
more growth opportunities.

15. Career changes

Moving into an entirely new field is a big step, but it opens up a wealth of learning opportunities.
Start with the basics and use your transferable skills to find a new position. Once you’re in, begin
additional certification and training to help you advance.

16. Industry training

Depending on your expertise, you may have access to industry training programs, whether that’s
with your workplace or an external organization. This helps your professional knowledge evolve in
step with industry trends and innovations.

17. Certifications
Find certifications that are relevant to your field and take steps to earn them. These are different
from courses. Instead of many classes, a certification is usually just an exam you have to pass. Then,
you can put it on your resume and LinkedIn profile to show your commitment to career
development.

18. Advanced degree programs

Going to grad school to get your master's or another advanced degree can enhance your eligibility
for a senior role. You may even be able to take advantage of your company’s educational benefits if
you have them.

19. Professional recognition

If you’ve created a noteworthy report or presentation, consider submitting it for an award or
presenting it at an industry conference. The recognition could enhance your credibility and raise
your professional profile.

20. Taking a sabbatical

Taking extended time off from work — like a few weeks or months — can give you time to develop
without worrying about your current job. Use a sabbatical to regroup, take a course, or work on a
project.

Man-on-sabbatical-waiting-at-airport-examples-of-development-opportunities

4 steps for effective career development

Now that you’re more familiar with career development opportunities, it’s time to plot your journey.
Here’s how to start planning your next steps:

1. Research
Before committing to a career development opportunity, whether it’s going for a new position or
taking a course outside of work, research as much as possible.
Paint a clear picture of how professionals in your field achieved their success. Read articles, speak to
colleagues and mentors, and review recommendations to help you reach your goals.
2. Explore opportunities within your company
When you’re ready, discuss your professional goals with your manager or colleagues. They may
identify areas of training that could put you in line for a promotion or a new job opportunity.

In addition, your current employer may offer career training as part of their employee development
and retention strategy.

3. Identify areas for improvement

It might be tempting to lean into your strengths. Filling in the gaps in your knowledge and skill set is
more advantageous in the long term. By focusing on areas of weakness, you’re developing a more
diverse range of qualifications while building confidence in your abilities.

4. Set SMART goals

Once you’ve decided where and how you’ll pursue your development opportunities, set your goals
and write them down. Ensure they follow the SMART framework — specific, measurable, achievable,
realistic, and timely — to set targets you can reach.
Put them in a place where you’ll see them often so you don’t forget why you’re putting in the effort.
Key areas of development
Lack of career advancement is a key reason why people leave their jobs. Deciding what area you
want to advance and develop in is the first step to staying motivated. Here’s some inspiration if you
aren’t sure what skills you should focus on improving:

Time management: Streamline your efforts by taking control of your day. Prioritization and planning
skills take center stage to let you work smarter, not harder.

Organization: Organizational skills go hand and hand with time management skills. You’ll learn to
balance responsibilities and complete tasks efficiently to build more time into your day.

Communication skills: Learn to communicate effectively with individuals of different experiences and
backgrounds. No matter where you work, communication will help you thrive.
Listening: Active listening skills can help you forge connections with coworkers, reduce
miscommunications, and increase comprehension and learning.

Man-listening-to-woman-at-office-examples-of-development-opportunities

Adaptability: Being able to adapt to changes in your workplace, project deadlines, or deliverables
can help reduce stress and maintain productivity when faced with unexpected challenges.

Collaboration: Learning to work with others to achieve a common goal can improve problem-solving
efforts, inspire innovation, and help everyone succeed.

Conflict resolution: Conflicts in the workplace are inevitable. Learn to find solutions when you and a
coworker disagree so that you can maintain your working relationship while overcoming the
problem.

Stress management: 83% of employees experience workplace stress. Safeguard your well-being by
identifying the situations that make you feel stressed and developing strategies to manage them.

Find your inspiration

Seeking good examples of development opportunities can help you identify areas of improvement
and take steps to reach your goals. Anything from finding a career coach to taking a short class can
put you on the path to development.

Let your passions inspire you to keep learning and create a positive example for others in your
workplace.

Invest in your career

Get your promotion. Make your career change. Build the future you dream about. And do it faster
with a world-class BetterUp Coach by your side.