What do your career plans include? Development or growth or both?

What do your career plans include? Development or growth or both?

We all are sure that we want to move up in our careers, but what we get confused about (as not many usually understand the difference) is whether we are looking for career development or career growth. 

Even before the question hits you, what’s the difference, here’s the answer to it —

Career growth is the long-term process of moving towards your ultimate professional goals. It’s your journey from the first step you take towards your career to where you wish to ultimately reach. 

Career development, on the other hand, usually refers to activities done in the short term. It’s more about how you develop yourself personally and professionally, step-by-step, to grow in your career.  

Looking at the larger picture here, development leads to growth. 

One doesn’t happen without the other, and both are required if you want to achieve your work goals and follow your career dreams. 

Here are a few ways to make career growth a priority 

  • Say yes to new opportunities
  • Build your skills- communication, teamwork, leadership
  • Prioritize learning opportunities
  • Expand your current job description to go beyond your skillset
  • Attend industry conferences 
  • Listen to leading industry speakers
  • Learn about job-related topics


At the end of the day, you are responsible for your career. 

Even if we provide all the career growth opportunities in the world, you have to do the work. 

It requires you to be patient, have a growth mindset, face your fear of failure, and, most importantly, know where you want to be.

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