by Leigh Goessl

Created on: January 08, 2009   Last Updated: September 28, 2009

Strategic planning for career growth is a worthwhile goal to pursue. If you continually think about ways to expand your personal and professional development, this will be extremely valuable to your career growth.

There are many ways you can strategically plan in order to make yourself more marketable and attractive to companies as you climb that corporate ladder. Some approaches you can pursue are higher education, find ways to update and broaden your skill set, network, attain longevity and join niche organizations.

*Education

It used to be that landing a solid job was possible with the right skills or a two year college degree. This is not so much the case anymore, more often than not in order to continue to climb the ladder you may need to go back to school.

If you don't have a bachelor degree, or even in some cases a masters degree, the time is right to think about pursuing a degree program to enhance your resume and your personal knowledge. As job markets become more aggressive and positions harder to find, attaining additional higher education may give you that competitive edge to continue upward movement in your career.

Fortunately many colleges have recognized the need for higher education and have designed degree programs specifically towards working adults. The options offered are limitless. Most colleges offer night and weekend classes and some offer entire degree programs online. This allows you to pursue a degree with the flexibility you need in a way that works for you.

*Update and broaden skills

Even if you have an advanced college degree as technology grows, jobs will transform in order to accommodate changes and with this comes continuing education. This doesn't mean you need to acquire another college degree, but you may need to take a few non-credit classes in order to grow or round out your personal knowledge base and keep up with the times.

If your job offers training it is a wise idea to take advantage of any opportunities which come your way. This will broaden your knowledge and make you more flexible and versatile in career growth as new positions open up.

*Network

Networking is a fantastic way to strategically plan career growth. As you outgrow your current job and want to pursue other opportunities, the more people you know the better chance you have of getting your foot in the proverbial door.

When the opportunity comes your way to meet with other people at dinners, expos or other business event, it is a great idea to jump at the

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