It’s easy to let professional development take a back seat to our day-to-day responsibilities. Many individuals find themselves overlooking the importance of ongoing professional growth and development for years at a time. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to expand your skills and continue expanding on your skill set. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as your working towards advancing your career.

Professional development is ongoing.

• You’ve finally worked your way into this field, however, just keeping your job isn’t enough. Your skills can become stale and you may begin to lack motivation. Chances are, your industry is always changing, whether it’s learning to use new materials or adhering to new standards. Learning how to tackle new challenges means pursuing professional development and growth and taking advantage of knowledge expanding opportunities on a regular basis.

Learning isn’t just for job seekers.

• Don’t wait until you’re looking for a job to increase your professional skills and learn more about your chosen field. You can tackle classes, attend seminars, and increase your certifications even when you’re happy with your current job–and in many cases, that will be the step that helps you reach your new career goals. Some companies will even be willing to pay for your professional development. It’s worth asking your superiors if this is an option.

You need a plan for your professional development.

• Simply attending classes haphazardly or attending seminars that “interest” you can be enjoyable but it’s better to have a plan. What are your career goals? Is there a skill set you’d like to add to your resume? Make those things a priority and set deadlines to achieve these milestones. Keeping to a schedule will help you stay on track and accomplish more in your career!

It's not all or nothing.

• You don’t have to constantly take difficult classes or attend seminars to broaden your knowledge. Instead, look for opportunities that fit with your existing schedule in order to improve your professional appeal without disrupting your current schedule.

Build your network.

• Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the job market for years, building your network is essential in continued career growth. You never know when connections you’ve made can help you get your foot in the door of a company you’ve been eyeing. Take advantage of professional development opportunities to make connections that will benefit you for years to come.

Professional development opportunities will take your skills to the next level and allow you to make more of yourself. Don’t fall into the trap of complacency! Make your resume look better than ever as you further develop your professional experience and work toward the job of your dreams. Never stop learning to benefit your long-term success and rise to the top of your industry.