Setting Professional Development Goals: Examples & Strategies for Success

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Professional development goals are incredibly valuable in the modern workplace — and they’re worth more than you might initially think. The most common association is individual career advancement, but research shows that professional development is key for a dynamic and resilient workplace culture.

In fact, employers who don’t prioritize training and development for employees have high turnover rates and reduced productivity.

58% of employees say professional development contributes to their job satisfaction.

68% of employees say training and development are the most important company policy.

76% of employees are looking for opportunities to expand their careers.

Fortunately, anyone can take charge of their own professional development goals; opening doors to growth and higher earning potential while also spurring innovation in the workplace. Keep reading for examples of professional development goals and guidance on how to find opportunities worth pursuing.

What Are Professional Development Goals?

Professional development goals are intended to enhance your skills and knowledge to pave the way for career advancement. You can achieve these objectives by earning certifications, attending workshops, or pursuing any opportunity to continue your education.

Professional development goals are unique to each individual and should take personal strengths, areas for growth, and specializations into account.

Aspirations can provide a strong foundation to motivate and inspire your professional development journey. You’re more likely to reach your goals when you have a personal interest in the outcome.

Experience is important to reflect on before honing in on specific areas for professional development. What skills are you proficient in, looking to develop, or learn?

Feedback from employers/stakeholders can help shape or guide your professional development goals. Be sure that the opportunities you pursue can provide you with insight, tangible skills, or valuable experience that aligns with your long-term career goals and your employer’s vision.

Industry advancements are a major objective behind professional development goals, ensuring that you stay up-to-date on emerging trends, best practices, and technology to enhance expertise.

How to Set Professional Development Goals

These four steps will help guide you to set and achieve professional development goals that empower a strong future.

Set a goal

Dedicate time to identify what you’re working toward. These ambitions can be big or small, from improving public speaking abilities to earning a top title at your company.

Consider how your goal fits into SMART criteria

The SMART criteria framework — an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound — is intended to help you meaningfully focus your efforts. For each goal you set, run down this list and make sure the objective aligns with the following:

Specific: Don’t leave room for ambiguity when it comes to goal-setting. Your professional development goals need to be concise for the sake of clarity.
Measurable: Be sure to establish methods of measuring progress and determining when a task is complete or a goal achieved.
Achievable: Make sure your goal is achievable by considering the resources and skills needed to succeed, as well as how you will overcome any possible challenges.
Relevant: Is your goal worth the time, effort, and resources required to achieve it? The answer is “yes” if you will be able to make progress toward personal and professional growth.
Time-bound: Set a definite timeline or deadline by which you will complete your professional development goals. A sense of urgency helps to keep you accountable and on track.

Identify opportunities

Research possible certificate courses, networking events, mentorships, and any other professional development opportunities you would like to pursue. Gather required materials so you are ready to apply/register and begin.

Follow through

Take the first actionable step toward achieving your professional development goals. Set aside the time and resources required to successfully complete your endeavor.

Examples of Professional Development Goals

Your professional development goals will depend on the industry you are a part of. It’s beneficial to research industry news and trends, job descriptions, and important skill sets in order to align your professional development goals with demand.

Business Professional Development Goals

Communication: Enhance written and verbal communication in order to participate meaningfully in group efforts, presentations, and negotiations.
Customer relationship management: Become an expert in strategies to build and maintain strong customer relationships.
Leadership: Cultivate abilities to lead a group and make decisions to advance in the business world.
Conflict resolution: Learn to appropriately and effectively mediate various types of conflict.
Project management proficiency: Familiarize yourself with a specialty, such as project management, to qualify for high-level roles.

Education Professional Development Goals

Technology: Master educational software and digital resources to offer students new opportunities.
Differentiated instruction: Dive into the methodology of differentiated instruction to serve students’ individual needs.
Designing curriculum: Become a resource for colleagues when it comes to curriculum development.
Creating inclusive learning environments: Implement inclusive learning strategies to nurture every student.
Project-based learning: Study the concept of project based learning to offer variety in lessons and testing.

Healthcare Professional Development Goals

Advanced certifications: Deepen your area of expertise, proving your commitment to career development.
Patient-centered care: Learn to effectively engage with patients to make strong, individualized treatment plans.
Medical terminology: Reinforce your knowledge of medical terminology to enhance every aspect of your career, from charting to clearly communicating with colleagues in different departments.
Electronic health records: Get up to speed on the latest means of electronic healthcare record keeping to ensure proper compliance and efficiency.
Leadership development: Participate in programs that enhance emotional intelligence, strategic planning, and leadership.

Engineering Professional Development Goals

Technical proficiency: Update your knowledge of new technologies, programming, software, and methodologies.
Ethical engineering: Engage in seminars and workshops that focus on ensuring the safety and welfare of Internet users.
Sustainability: Learn sustainable design principles to benefit future generations who join the field.
Innovation and creativity: Dedicate time to experimenting with new facets of technology to enhance an existing practice.
Collaboration: Get curious and collaborate with stakeholders and colleagues with different specialties.

Achieving Your Professional Development Goals

With working professionals in mind, the University of San Diego created a variety of online learning opportunities to achieve your professional development goals. These are just some of the many options available to you through the Professional and Continuing Education program.