Over recent times, the business environment has placed huge challenges on organisations faced with the issue of how they professionally and personally develop the careers of their employees.

If we consider the modern “partnership” approach to career development, that is, your role as an employee is to “drive” your own career development and your organisations role is to support you to achieve this, then this may open up opportunities for you and your manager to think differently about how to address your development needs.

What do you do if your organisation is faced with cost cutting or financial constraints and considers itself unable to provide you with professional or personal development opportunities?

In circumstances such as these, the key to solving the challenge is to think about “creative” solutions that are cost efficient, and effectively meet your development needs and the need of the business at that point in time. Faced with these challenges, what career development options may be available for you to consider?

Think about what career development you need to achieve in your current role and for future roles. Depending on your circumstances and needs of the business you may need to consider whether it is appropriate to discuss current or future development needs with your manager at that point in time.

Demonstrate to your manager that you have adopted a “learning driven” and not “event driven” approach to your career development. A purely event focussed career development plan can be expensive and in the long term is ineffective at developing your professional or career development needs.

Consider adopting a wide range of career development options. For example:

Reading & Research

This can be a cost and time effective way for you to keep up to date with industry or job information and to learn new knowledge. Used properly, the Internet can be an effective way for you to search and browse for information.

Volunteer for a Special Project

Nominating to participate in a special project or new task can have a positive affect on your career development. The benefits that it can provide include an opportunity to learn new skills, enhance skills gaps and network with other people.

Participate in “out or work” activities

Adopting a holistic approach to career development can also have a positive affect on your personal development. For example, if you need to further develop or enhance the skills of “patience” or to improve your “listening” for your role, you might like to consider participating in volunteer or charity activities outside of work hours.

Training

If you require training as part of your career development, consider a variety of appropriate training courses or providers. For example TAFE, evening colleges, universities and private training organisations etc.

Consider a combination of development options

To enhance the effectiveness of your career development consider combining the approaches listed above. For example, participating in a training course combined with on the job coaching or mentoring

For many people the challenge of career development is accepting the new partnership approach and the idea that you as an individual are responsible for driving your own career development. Your organisation still has a role to play in your career development by providing support, feedback and encouragement. The type or form of support that is provided to you will depend on the challenges faced by your organisation at that point in time and in the approach that you and your manager take when considering alternate or creative ways to address your career development needs.