How can you develop a career path in Staff Development from scratch?

1 Assess your current skills and interests

Before you pursue a career in staff development, you need to have a clear idea of your strengths, weaknesses, and passions. You can use self-assessment tools, such as online quizzes, personality tests, or feedback surveys, to identify your core competencies, learning styles, and preferences. You can also review your past work experiences, achievements, and challenges, and reflect on what you enjoyed and what you want to improve.

2 Research the staff development field

Once you have a better understanding of yourself, you can explore the staff development field and learn about the different roles, responsibilities, and opportunities available. You can use online resources, such as job boards, industry blogs, or podcasts, to find out what skills and qualifications are in demand, what trends and challenges are affecting the field, and what best practices and standards are followed. You can also network with other staff development professionals, such as mentors, peers, or alumni, and ask them for advice, insights, or referrals.

3 Set your career goals and plan your actions

After you have gathered enough information, you can set your career goals and plan your actions to achieve them. You can use the SMART framework to make your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, you can set a goal to obtain a certification in staff development within six months, or to apply for a staff development coordinator position within a year. Then, you can break down your goals into smaller tasks and assign deadlines and resources to each one.

5 Showcase your portfolio and resume

Once you have acquired the skills and qualifications you need, you need to showcase your portfolio and resume to potential employers or clients. You can create a portfolio that highlights your staff development projects, samples, or testimonials, and showcases your skills, achievements, and impact. You can also update your resume to reflect your education, experience, and credentials in staff development, and tailor it to the specific job or organization you are applying for. Furthermore, you can optimize your online presence, such as your LinkedIn profile, website, or blog, to increase your visibility and credibility in the staff development field.

6 Keep learning and growing

Finally, you need to keep learning and growing as a staff development professional. You can stay updated on the latest developments, innovations, and research in the field, and incorporate them into your practice. You can also seek feedback, mentoring, or coaching from other staff development experts, and learn from their experiences and perspectives. Moreover, you can join professional associations, communities, or events, and network with other staff development practitioners, share your ideas and insights, and collaborate on projects or initiatives.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?