Set goals and plan your career in tech

Studies (like the Theory of Goal Setting and Task Performance by Latham and Locke) have shown that people who set clear goals for themselves are more successful at achieving them than those who don’t. But as you might know, setting career goals is definitely more complicated than just choosing what you want to do. Many people struggle with setting realistic objectives because they lack the strategy and project management skills necessary to learn and gain expertise in a certain area.

So how to set those realistic goals if your dream is to land a job in tech? Start with the following framework by reflecting on your values, skills, and resources.

Values

Start your career planning by reflecting on your values and interests. When you’re aware of them you’ll more likely end up in a working environment that doesn’t clash with your values. We spend so much of our time at work that it is crucial for our well-being to be invested in what we do. It is in the employer's interest that employees are motivated even when facing difficulties or monotonous tasks. This is why being aware of your interests is a valuable asset when job seeking. It just might be the added value that separates you from other candidates!

Some of the most common values are:

• Trust
• Kindness
• Bravery
• Creating something new
• Openness/transparency
• Leadership
• Relationships
• Work-life balance
• Developing and learning

Values dictate your everyday actions so by figuring them out you’re able to find your passion as cliché as it sounds. I doubt that anyone's passion is writing code for no reason. Why you love coding has probably more to do with solving problems or making people’s lives easier. Figuring out what motivates you helps you to achieve your career goals in the long run.

You might also want to spend some time answering the question, what kind of day-to-day life do you enjoy? What gives you energy and what drains you? If you enjoy working in a team, you should apply for positions that offer this possibility!

Skills

kills are an essential part of planning your career. You need to know what to have or learn to achieve the professional goals you’ve set for yourself. First, make a list of the competencies you already have. This includes all your soft and technical skills as well as your industry knowledge. Second, list the skills you want to learn or improve on.

Focus on what you want to develop in the upcoming months. Then, revisit your wishes for your next job. What kind of skills would help you get a job at this type of company after five months? Research how others have learned them. Also, look for inspiration! Follow people who inspire you and connect with them. Ask how they learned the skills they have and how they got there!

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- Shift your focus towards the areas you'd like to develop in the coming months, keeping your enthusiasm high! Take a moment to revisit your aspirations for your next job and consider which skills would greatly assist you in securing a position at a similar company within the next five months. Engage in some research to discover how others have successfully acquired these skills. Additionally, don't forget to seek inspiration! Follow individuals who ignite your passion and connect with them. Feel free to reach out and inquire about their own skill-building journeys and the valuable lessons they learned along the way. -

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Resources

Now that you’ve figured out your motivation, values, and skills the big question is: how are you going to learn these skills? An important part of planning your career is considering what you can do with the resources you have and how you are going to execute the plan. Are your chances of reaching those professional goals somehow limited because of family, schoolwork, hobbies, or something else? Your current situation affects a lot of the objectives you’re able to set for yourself.

Think about how much time you need to spend learning each skill and start making a weekly plan. Also, consider other people as an additional resource! Is there someone that could start mentoring you and help you tackle the challenges? Figure out your next steps by answering the following questions:

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You are going to have some challenges along the way. There are things in life that can change the steps you originally planned. But that doesn’t mean you failed! You just need to reevaluate your plan and keep going. More important than knowing what you’re going to do years from now is to reflect on what you’re going to do next. And remember, when you achieve one of your career goals, it's only the beginning of your journey.

Psst. If you were able to answer all the questions here, congratulations! You’re progressing toward your goals at a pretty nice speed. If not, it’s a great time to start creating objectives.

So what's next?

Not sure what steps you need to take in order to start your career in tech? Don't worry, join Integrify's Info Session to get all the information you need.

Interested in joining Integrify Academy? We are present with 5 Digital Campuses across Europe. Choose your location and check out our upcoming programs. 

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