Staying Relevant Throughout Your Career

Regardless of the stage in your career, staying relevant is key to staying employed. To highlight some of the essential steps to making sure you are engaged and relevant in your work, on today’s career development episode of The Digital Enterprise Society podcast, Thom Singer welcomes Carolyn Strauss. Carolyn is a speaker and former designer on the Home Shopping Network and has joined Thom to discuss tactics and tips for designing yourself as an essential member of your team and player in your industry at every stage of your career.   On today’s podcast, you will learn:   Designing needful products or services Designing is a basic skill for people that enhances the life of the people who are using it. Whether digital products or the Home Shopping Network, designing keeps you relevant. Focus on the ways you can make things better than you found them. Find out where the work is, then go there and meet the people you want to do business with. Have more than one iron in your fire in case one path doesn’t pan out. Consider how the product or service you are designing is perceived by your company or industry.   Tips for staying relevant Connect with the smartest people in your industry. Take time to learn something that you don’t already know. Subscribe to industry publications to stay informed on the latest updates.   Connecting with people Connect in more meaningful ways than likes and follows on social media. Consider the motivation behind your engagement with others. Learn the 5 love languages and use them to connect with others. Identify associations and find time to volunteer there. Make it a part of your career goals. Show up — meeting in person is always more effective than on-screen interactions.   Enhancing your professional development Spend money to invest in your professional development. Listen to podcasts that highlight industry experts. Keep track of your deliverables — know how to answer the question “What do you do?”. Show up, smile, listen, and show appreciation. Find a local association that you can join, learn from and contribute to. Volunteer to be part of projects that are interesting to you, even if it is outside of your specific position.   Continue the conversation with us within the Digital Enterprise Society Community at www.DigitalEnterpriseSociety.org.   Digital Download: Virtual Round-Table Series