Building Your Network

You want a network of trusted allies who all bring various knowledge and expertise. Your network can consist of:

• People who can help you improve your skills
• People to provide honest feedback
• Professional contacts who consist of people at all different levels of expertise: retired professionals, veterans, and colleagues across various roles
• Mentors who can consist of professors, former teachers, and counselors

Having a network filled with individuals from various walks of life is valuable to show diversity of thought and experience. Having too many likeminded individuals in your network will provide one area of perspective, and this may not be the most valuable to you.  

The Journey of Professional Development

Once you’ve done the work of seeking out opportunities, sustaining relationships, and building a network, now you can properly delve into the journey of professional development with a clear vision. You cannot rush professional development.

Treat professional development as a journey! You can find a map of a professional development journey below!