Career Aspirations

Career aspirations are a set of directions you want your career to go. You will find some good explanations on answer.com. Keep in mind, career aspirations are a little different than career goals. Goals are measurable and you will know when you achieve them. Career aspirations are a little vague but they can be as bold as your imagination allows. When you think you have reached an aspiration, you still have room to go higher.

You can set multiple goals that keep you on the aspiration path. With each achievement, you will get closer to your aspirations. Here is where you can learn more about setting goals and achieving success.

Career aspirations are different for each person. There is no right or wrong to what each person want to achieve in life. The key is to have a good understanding of what we want out of our career. For some people it is to satisfy their ego, I have achieved this level of success. For some it is about finding a good balance between life and work by being in the career they love that gives them flexibility. There are others who set their career aspirations based on their need for security.

 

Let’s look at a few examples of career aspirations

Join Management

Some people want to have more responsibility, lead others, or gain more power. They invest their time and energy learning the ins and outs of the organization and acquire skills to manage people. They are constantly working on achieving a management role. There is an ongoing aspiration where the management role grows from managing a few people to managing the whole organization. The aspiration does not change but increases in magnitude. Sometimes, it is possible to reach a level and decide this is not what I thought it would be like. At this time, we can reevaluate and decide where to go next. Stepping down a level might be a good idea, at times, if we are also trying to find balance between the achievement and other parts of our lives.

Subject Matter Expert

Some people want to gain deep knowledge in one area, become a subject matter expert. Once they reach this level, they can use the expertise to be an independent consultant helping big or small organizations with their specific needs. Another option is to be an expert in a specific work in an organization and be responsible for all aspects of that part of the business. A good example is a tax account who is also a CPA. This person can work for small or large organizations and be responsible for all tax related account work. They may also choose to be an independent person doing freelance work.

Own a Business

Owning a business is a dream for many people. Some want it because it will afford them a no boss work environment, be their own boss, and have the freedom to take a break at will. They also see the earning potential and decide this is the path they want to take. When it comes to being our own boss, it might appear that we are reporting to no one and that we can do whatever we want with no accountability. However, the clients we serve become our boss. Without them, the business does not strive. Without their approval, the business does not grow. So this is something to keep in mind as we think about owning a business. There has to be enough compelling reason beyond the employee boss relationship.

Are you a Subject matter expert or a person looking for your next career move? I am extending the Seattle offer to anyone in the US or Canada.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to everyone’s personal career aspirations. The important part is knowing what we are passionate about and focus our energy to lineup our passion with our aspirations.