Have you ever been in a role and thought, “How do I grow from here?” Or you have met someone that you aspire to be one day. Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with people from all walks of life—peers, colleagues from different departments, and team members. These discussions often revolved around a common theme: what is my next step? We explored the skills needed to reach their goals, dissected the steps they should take, and shared insights on overcoming obstacles. Each of these moments, whether for my own career or the people I have mentored, has taught me valuable lessons about career development, growth, and the sheer importance of not giving up. 

Let’s dive into some things I have learned over the years.

 “The secret to high performance and satisfaction—at work, at school, and at home—is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.”

“Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink

Software Engineering is a vast umbrella with multiple avenues of specialisation. Front-end, back-end, full-stack, mobile, DevOps, security, cloud, site reliability, architecture solutions—the list goes on. Knowing the foundations and fundamentals of these areas is crucial, but from a career growth standpoint, how do you know how to make a lateral move into another specialisation or continue to grow in your chosen pathway? 

This is where a career pathway becomes invaluable. It’s a roadmap and a visual aid that helps you see your progress, understand the skills you’re developing, and identify future opportunities. 

Finding Your Career Path

Taking the first step is always the hard one. If you find yourself struggling with where to begin, Build Your Village. This means surrounding yourself with mentors and peers who can guide you, offer insights, and support your journey. 

Set small, achievable goals. Understanding your pathway and setting small, attainable goals helps you see progress, no matter how small. When you see progress and understand its value and how it contributes to the bigger picture, you are more likely to continue and strive to achieve more.

Keep refining. Every role and challenge is a chance to learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to adapt and evolve.

Stay curious. Embrace continuous learning and let your curiosity spark constant growth. Being a lifelong learner keeps you engaged and drives innovation and growth.

Mastery and Accountability in Your Craft

At each step in your career pathway, there is a craft that you master. Mastering your craft isn’t just about being technically proficient. It’s about understanding the broader impact of your skills and committing to continuous improvement. Imagine honing and applying your skills in real-world scenarios, like a sous chef perfecting their culinary art. Each dish created makes them more proficient and confident. However, to master and grow, they need to seek feedback. In this example, an executive chef offers constructive tips to the sous chef to highlight your strengths and areas for improvement.

On the other hand, making yourself accountable is another essential part of a career pathway. You take charge of your learning, set personal goals aligned with your aspirations, and actively engage in workshops, projects, and mentorships. 

Mastering your craft and making yourself accountable matters because it leads to higher engagement, motivation, and satisfaction. When you see the value in your work and take responsibility for your growth, you’re more invested and driven to excel. This drive fuels better performance and sparks innovation.

The Joy of Seeing Growth and Celebrating

As a leader, seeing others grow and succeed and feeling joy in recognising my growth and progress is equally rewarding.

Sometimes, we forget to take a moment and reflect on the things we have done that fill our cup. There’s nothing like that moment when you connect the dots between what you’ve learned and how it propels your career forward. It’s a powerful validation of your efforts and an incredible motivator. Seeing people, including myself, get promoted, move into different roles, and thrive is a unique and joyous feeling. Celebrate, you earned it!

And don’t forget to reflect, improve, and celebrate some more. Whether you’re succeeding or growing, each step forward is a testament to your dedication and resilience. Take a moment to acknowledge your achievements and let your self-reflection guide you to greater heights.

My final thoughts and career growth journey are filled with twists, turns, and occasional “What am I doing?” moments. Building your village through mentorship and trusted people who can guide you, setting achievable goals, and embracing continuous learning is essential for mastering your craft and achieving success. Reflecting on and celebrating progress fuels motivation and validates your efforts. Embrace these moments, learn from them, and remember that the path to success is paved with continuous learning and growth. Mine has certainly been non-linear. And who knows? You might inspire someone else along the way.