Maggie Evans 
The definition of career success can differ based on who you ask. Some feel that career success comes with money, and others prioritize a position of power. However, if there's one that remains common, career success cannot go if you don't have a plan. Without a plan, you can even fail at something that you enjoy as you will lack the necessary direction. Therefore, career planning is essential if you want to have a successful career, regardless of what industry you're in. However, career planning is by no means an easy task and requires a great deal of research and skill.
Nevertheless, some tried and tested ways of building a successful career for yourself and achieving the goals you set out. Although success isn't an overnight affair, these tips can help you advance at a reasonably fast pace and achieve success. So, keep reading below for the best ways you have a successful career.
Get a professional degree
One of the best ways to advance your career is getting a professional qualification that allows you to fulfill higher-ranking tasks. Earlier on, a simple high school degree and some experience would be enough to secure your career progress. However, if you want a lucrative and stable job in today's age, you need the right qualifications. Thousands of fresh graduates enter the job market each day, each more competent than the last. To make your mark, you need the proper credentials. Getting a degree from a renowned institute can certify your capabilities unlike anything else and propel you towards success.
A degree in social work can prepare you for a bright, fulfilling future where you can pursue various careers and excel. An intensive master's in social work allows you to hone your teamwork and collaborative skills. Furthermore, you learn critical problem-solving skills that will enable you to assume a leadership position in any situation. When opting for a master's in social work, be sure to opt for CSWE accredited MSW programs certified by the Council to help you take your career to new heights.
Self-evaluate
It may seem like a small step, but it can be one of the best ways of ensuring career success. Most employees tend to wait a year or several months for their annual or mid-year appraisals to judge their performance. However, instead of wasting all this time, you can rely on your judgment and set attainable yet challenging goals for yourself. If you can't achieve the goals you set within your timeline, you might have some introspection to do.
However, when planning your goals, be sure to consider your job standing and expertise. Annual performance appraisals can come too late and give you little time to fix the issues you may be facing. Frequent self-appraisals can help you stay on track consistently and improve your job performance. When self-evaluating, it can be a good idea to share your progress with your managers and get their thoughts on improving further.
Work with a mentor
You can't do everything yourself. Sometimes, you need some extra assistance from an expert in the field who has the experience to tell you which areas you need to focus on most. These experts can give you an informed, objective response regarding your progress and advise you on how to proceed. Working under a mentor is thus one of the most effective ways to achieve career success. A mentor is an expert in your field who may or may not be a co-worker. However, mentors need to have much more experience than you to guide you properly.
A mentor can help open up various opportunities to you through their existing contacts and make you aware of any profession's unwritten politics and rules. Mentoring is a holistic yet personalized learning method that can help you achieve your sense of purpose and direction. Working with a capable and experienced mentor is a learning opportunity unlike any other. It can pave the way for faster promotions and better job satisfaction.
Own your mistakes
Even the best employees can mess up at times, and that's okay as long as you learn positively from experience. One of the most significant factors that hinder employees from achieving their potential is their inability to understand criticism or failure objectively. No one wants to hear about their shortcomings, but doing so gives you the most significant opportunities to grow professionally and personally.
If you want to succeed in your career, all you need to do is ask for feedback. Taking frequent input and learning from it can help you identify your problem areas and work on them. When asking for feedback, be sure to go to multiple sources for a holistic picture and gather various unique perspectives. Once you learn to own up to your mistakes, you can take charge and start working towards improving.
Conclusion
Having a successful career doesn't have to be as hard as it may seem if you follow these tips. The biggest step is building greater self-awareness and staying humble regardless of where you are in your career. Once you have that down, proper planning and advice from experts can help you advance in your career and be successful in no time.
