Olathe campus blog

Enhancing your career: three steps you can take today

Written by Beth Jones | Oct 30, 2024 4:23:19 PM

Are you looking for ways you can improve your career prospects? 

There are many steps you can take to improve your career outcomes. Some professionals like working with a mentor, setting goals and networking, but there are even more opportunities for growth if you’re willing to look for them. 

Whether you're a K-State Olathe student or you're thinking about becoming one, here are three valuable ways you can improve the future of your career.

Analyze your strengths and weaknesses 

Take time to consider where your skills are strongest – and where you can improve. Analyzing your abilities is one of the first steps in discovering ways you can hone your skills. To get started, take a look at your latest evaluation or talk with your direct supervisor to ask about areas they believe you have room to grow. 

You can also ask yourself, “Where do I want to be in five years?” If you envision yourself leading a team, for example, you’ll know that it’s time to take K-State Olathe’s Leadership Series course. If your goal is to become a stronger writer, focusing on ways to develop those communication skills now could be your key to moving forward. For career-minded individuals who simply want to enhance their people skills on a general level, networking events can provide a place to strengthen those professional skills. 

Consider professional development opportunities 

Professional development offers you a realistic, affordable way to continue learning while you’re already pursuing a career. 

At K-State Olathe, we offer an assortment of professional development opportunities that are industry-specific, including: 

  • Advanced manufacturing 
  • Animal health 
  • Urban food systems 

We offer customized trainings, as well as a leadership series designed to provide support to you regardless of your chosen industry. 

Professional development opportunities can include webinars, seminars, workshops and short courses that provide you with both opportunities to learn and chances to network with professionals like you. 

 Decide whether an advanced degree could benefit you 

Are you looking for a way to dive even deeper into your career? An advanced degree could provide you with opportunities for promotion and growth. We offer multiple degree programs designed to help you elevate your career and deepen your knowledge. 

Current programming choices include: 

  • Agribusiness 
  • Applied Biosciences 
  • Public Health 
  • Urban Food Systems 
  • Veterinary Biomedical Science 

Our classes are designed with your career in mind, which means they are industry-focused and provide opportunities for you to learn real-life skills you can transfer from the classroom to your place of business. 

Many of our professors spent time working in industry before transitioning to academia, and our classes frequently include guest lecturers from local Kansas City businesses who can offer you insight, support and guidance as you develop your career.