17 Pieces of Advice for Setting and Achieving Career Goals in Early Stages
Embarking on a professional journey requires a strategic approach to setting and achieving career goals. We’ve gathered insights from CEOs and founders, among other top professionals, to share their personal advice. From starting small with deliberate practice to practicing radical listening and reevaluating success, explore the seventeen diverse recommendations to guide your early career path.
- Start Small and Practice Deliberately
- Learn from Others and Seek Mentorship
- Embrace Mentorship and Collaborative Learning
- Maintain Passion Through Challenges
- Leverage Passion to Overcome Obstacles
- Explore Diverse Experiences Early On
- Embrace Challenges and Diversify Skills
- Create a Detailed Action Plan
- Set Specific Goals and Find Mentorship
- Align Goals with Core Competencies
- Focus on Continuous Learning and Networking
- Consult a Career Coach Early On
- Visualize Goals with a Vision Board
- Network and Adapt in Your Sector
- Reflect with a Lesson-Learned Journal
- Stay Adaptable to Changing Goals
- Practice Radical Listening and Reevaluate Success
Start Small and Practice Deliberately
Think big, but start small. Too often, early-career professionals set lofty goals without a clear plan for achieving them. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming about the proverbial corner office or C-suite slot, but ambition is only realized through consistent action. Career success stems from development.
To achieve results, employ the use of deliberate practice. Pick one thing—a very specific thing—and work to improve it. Then move to the next area. In a month, you’ll see results, and in a year, you’ll outpace your colleagues. Momentum is magical. When an opportunity arises, be it an internal promotion or an external offer, your work will ensure you’re ready. And when you land the gig, keep climbing. There’s a reason they call them career ladders and not career elevators.
Tim Toterhi, CHRO, Plotline Leadership
Learn from Others and Seek Mentorship
We don’t know what we don’t know, so looking to others in positions we may want can help. What skills do they have that you don’t have? Watch them to learn where you have some gaps. Pay attention to their behavior when communicating and leading. Craft your career goals based on what you need to improve to move in that direction. Mentorship is an excellent way to combine goals with encouragement, insights, and guidance on the path.
Lorraine Bossé-Smith, Chief Solutions Officer, Concept One LLC
Embrace Mentorship and Collaborative Learning
Mentorship and collaboration are crucial for personal growth. Learning from those who have traversed the path we aim to journey leads to enrichment, so don’t shy away from seeking their guidance. Remember, many experienced individuals are willing to share their insights.
One impactful, free channel to tap into this wisdom is through books, which distill years of a person’s experiences, helping jump-start our careers. While I won’t delve into the specifics of setting SMART goals, a topic well-covered by others, it’s essential to take one step at a time and seek opportunities for collaboration. Volunteering and going the extra mile show your dedication and is often recognized.
Zig Ziglar is well-known for saying, “If you help enough people get what they want, you’ll be able to get what you want.” This cycle of giving tends to return rewards in surprising ways. The path to early career success involves exposing yourself to diverse opportunities through service, either by volunteering or being proactive in finding needs you can meet for others. The more people you help, the more success you will find. Setting huge, lofty goals is fine, but the crux lies in breaking them into manageable milestones for tracking progress.
Dan Sullivan’s book The Gap and the Gain talks about measuring backward, away from the constant dissatisfaction of unrealized dreams. Instead, looking back at the smaller milestones achieved cultivates a “winning and learning” mindset. This approach fosters continuous learning, setting you up for future success.
Jason Rutel, Creative Lead & Owner, Creative Nomads
Maintain Passion Through Challenges
I would always advise anyone who is trying to set and achieve their goals to never lose their passion. Whenever times get tough, or it seems like there is no progress, that’s the time when you need to push through the hardest.
Most of the time, we are not able to tell how much we have actually progressed until we are close to giving up and understand how much we have actually accomplished. Whenever you want to achieve your goals, think about how passionate and eager you are to achieve them.
Lysakowska Maria Izabela, Global Country Manager, Financer
Leverage Passion to Overcome Obstacles
As cliché as it is, passion for whatever it is you’re pursuing is vital when it comes to jump-starting your professional life.
Growing up in the late 1970s in the sleepy suburbs of Johannesburg, South Africa, I developed an early interest in technology. At that time, South Africa was under the grip of the oppressive apartheid regime that banned sharing any information deemed “subversive,” and controlled all communication with the outside world. Despite limited access to technological infrastructure and formal IT education, my passion never wavered. With ingenuity and resourcefulness, I overcame a neurobiological learning disability and ‘hacked’ my way through school, teaching myself the fundamentals of computing and cybersecurity.
No amount of challenges, including a lack of role models, financial constraints, societal expectations, and geographic limitations, will discourage your pursuit of success if you are driven by passion. Partnered with hard work, an unending thirst for knowledge and innovation, and other learned skills which one can develop as they make their way through their own professional journeys, passion as a foundation will definitely make you formidable.
Trevor Horwitz, CISO, TrustNet Inc.
Explore Diverse Experiences Early On
The start of your professional career is an exploratory phase—be open to diverse experiences, learn new skill sets, embrace feedback, and join collaborative work environments. In the process of trying new things, we discover the sweet spot between our passions and natural abilities.
While it takes time to find our place in the working world, the more learning we can fit into the early stages of the journey, the more rapidly we can discover what sparks our interest, and from there, we start building.
Shannon Ewan, CEO, ICAgile
Embrace Challenges and Diversify Skills
Discomfort is not an excuse. Say yes when it’s challenging but provokes you, and say no when it challenges but disgusts you. Only try to work with people who are better than you in what they do. It’s fine to go all-in on one career niche, but it’s equally great to diversify and then profit from new opportunities that arose just because you diversified.
Everything you do is an experience that piles up. Something you learned in one corner might be useful in a very different corner. Fugoya would not have happened if I hadn’t done all the steps and learnings prior.
Thomas Strobl, Founder, Fugoya
Create a Detailed Action Plan
I will share my action plan for setting and achieving career goals. First, define your dream job or career goal. Which industry or company would you like to work for? What is the dynamic of the workplace? What would your day-to-day look like? What are the milestones for getting there?
Then, set a timeline for when you wish to achieve your goal. Break it down year by year or even month by month. Is it realistic? This serves as a guide for checking your progress. The next step is writing down the blockers stopping you from reaching your goal or dream job. Change or work on the blockers that are in your control. Think of ways to turn these obstacles into smaller hurdles to cross.
Lastly, determine your current strengths. Do they align with your goals? What can you leverage, and what should you strengthen further to reach your goals? Now, you have a goal and a roadmap to achieve it. Of course, you can update and modify it on the go—it’s difficult to foresee your career path, especially in the early stages of your professional life.
Merilyn Uudmae, Content Manager, Teamdash
Set Specific Goals and Find Mentorship
Early in my career, before ascending to the role of Vice President, I learned a valuable lesson about setting and achieving career goals that has stayed with me. The path ahead seemed foggy during professional uncertainty, and the steps to take were unclear. This experience taught me the power of specificity in goal-setting and the importance of mentorship in navigating one’s career path.
I had set a broad goal of “advancing in my career,” but progress was frustratingly slow without a clear definition of what advancement meant or a plan to achieve it. During a casual conversation with a mentor, I had a moment of clarity. They advised me to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (S.M.A.R.T.) goals. Inspired by this, I refined my goal to “become a team leader within two years by developing my leadership skills and expanding my industry knowledge.” This specificity transformed my approach. It guided my decisions on what skills to develop, what projects to take on, and even what additional responsibilities to seek.
To achieve this, I actively sought opportunities for professional development, enrolling in leadership workshops and industry seminars. I also volunteered for cross-departmental projects to broaden my understanding of the business. Reflecting on my progress with my mentor became a regular part of my routine, allowing me to adjust my strategies and stay motivated.
The culmination of this focused effort was achieving my goal of becoming a team leader within the targeted timeframe and gaining a profound understanding of the value of setting clear, actionable goals and the indispensable role of mentorship in achieving them. This approach has been a cornerstone of my professional development strategy ever since.
My advice to those in the early stages of their professional life is to not just set goals but to make them as specific as possible. Pair this strategy with finding a mentor who can guide, challenge, and encourage you. The clarity of your goals, combined with the wisdom and support of a mentor, can significantly accelerate your career progression.
Laurie Hyllberg, Vice President, Kinsa Group
Align Goals with Core Competencies
In setting and achieving career goals, it’s crucial to begin by understanding your unique strengths and core competencies. Take time to introspect and create a list of what you excel at, as well as what truly motivates and drives you. Reflect on both the aspects of your current job that bring you joy and fulfillment, as well as those that don’t resonate with you.
Personally, I’ve found it immensely valuable to have had a trusted mentor who helped me navigate these introspective questions. Through candid discussions, I was able to pinpoint my passions and areas where I naturally excel—essentially identifying my “career DNA.” This process empowered me to align my professional trajectory with my inherent talents, enabling me to chart a path that was both fulfilling and rewarding.
Once you’ve identified your core competencies and passions, leverage them to set clear, actionable career goals. Whether it’s acquiring specific skills, pursuing opportunities aligned with your interests, or seeking roles that allow you to utilize your strengths, make sure your objectives are well-defined and achievable.
Furthermore, don’t underestimate the power of continuous learning and self-improvement. Invest in honing your skills, seeking out new experiences, and expanding your knowledge base. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and be open to stepping out of your comfort zone to seize new opportunities.
Lastly, remember that career success is not solely determined by external achievements, but also by maintaining a healthy work-life balance and prioritizing your well-being. Nurture your relationships, pursue passions outside of work, and take time to recharge. By embracing your unique talents, setting clear goals, and committing to continuous growth, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the early stages of your professional journey and achieve success on your own terms.
TK Morgan, Founder and Visionary, Tuesday At 1030
Focus on Continuous Learning and Networking
My advice for setting and achieving career goals in the early stages of professional life is to focus on continuous learning and skill development. It’s important to set specific, achievable, and measurable goals that align with your long-term career vision.
Based on my personal experience, I recommend seeking out mentors and networking with professionals in your field. Building relationships with experienced individuals can provide valuable guidance, insights, and opportunities for growth. Additionally, don’t be afraid to take on new challenges and step out of your comfort zone, as these experiences can lead to personal and professional development.
Remember to stay adaptable, resilient, and open to feedback, as these qualities are essential for success in the early stages of your career.
Mike Podesto, Founder & CEO, Find My Profession
Consult a Career Coach Early On
See a career coach. I decided to take such a step as a university student when I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do in my professional life, and I have never regretted it ever since.
It’s never too early to start thinking about your future career. You don’t need to know precisely what you want to do, but you must stay hungry for the new, broaden your horizons, and nourish your ambition. Think about the transferable skills you may need, learn new things, and expand your professional network. Things don’t happen on their own. Little but well-thought-out steps are better than doing nothing. Working with a career coach helped me understand that and positively influenced the setting and achieving of goals early in my professional life.
Agata Szczepanek, Career Expert, LiveCareer
Visualize Goals with a Vision Board
It’s a good decision to create a vision board of where you envision yourself to be. It wasn’t just enough for me to list down goals when I was a biology major in college. I created a vision board of the path that I’d imagined towards becoming a board-certified physician. Envisioning a goal path is a way to manifest it.
Sarah Bonza, Founder, Bonza Health
Network and Adapt in Your Sector
As I reflect on Careers in Government’s role in bridging early-career professionals to jobs in the public sector, one key piece of advice I’d offer for setting and achieving career goals is to prioritize networking with new people. Building a strong professional network has been invaluable for evaluating opportunities, gaining insights, and navigating challenges.
Whether it’s connecting with colleagues at industry events, engaging with peers on social media platforms like LinkedIn and GovLoop, or seeking out mentorship opportunities, investing in relationships within and beyond my organization has been crucial for advancing my career.
Additionally, staying adaptable and proactive in response to changes in the public sector landscape has been essential for continued growth and success. Embracing opportunities for education, such as pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, has also been instrumental in enhancing my qualifications and opening up new career pathways.
Michael Hurwitz, CEO and Co-Founder, Careers in Government
Reflect with a Lesson-Learned Journal
For me, using a lesson-learned journal is a valuable tool when it comes to setting goals. Reflecting upon what went well and what didn’t helps me to identify growth, learning opportunities, and areas of professional development.
With any goal, it’s important to create smaller milestone stepping-stones leading up to the overall bigger goal. If you go straight at a larger goal, you’ll lose motivation when it takes a long time to achieve it. By setting smaller, achievable stepping-stone goals, you can feel a sense of achievement when that step is met, and that achievement will keep you motivated to the next stepping-stone on your path towards your goal completion.
Emily Maguire, Career Consultant and Managing Director, Reflections Career Coaching
Stay Adaptable to Changing Goals
In the early stages of professional life, I believe it’s important to stay adaptable. As a personal example, my early career as an actuarial analyst was largely focused on passing actuarial exams. These are some of the toughest exams in the world to pass, and I initially thought I could pass them all in three years. Some people pass them all in three years, but the average qualification time is seven years. After a year, it became clear that this goal meant that I’d have to make much more personal sacrifices than I wanted to at that point in my life (my early twenties). Yes, I could have put my head down, worked non-stop, and got there, but at what cost?
After realizing that this goal wasn’t worth it and could mean I would have some big regrets in terms of missed opportunities, I decided to aim for an easier (but not easy) goal of passing the exams in seven years. Looking back now, this was the correct choice for me, and I’m extremely grateful I was adaptable with my early career goals.
Dr. Mark Farrell (FIA), Founder, CEO, Associate Professor & Actuary, ProActuary Jobs
Practice Radical Listening and Reevaluate Success
In the fledgling days of EchoGlobal, my co-founder and I hustled tirelessly to land our first clients. Burnout loomed as we struggled to convey our value. Through many clumsy conversations filled with misaligned expectations, we learned the art of “radical listening”—fully absorbing stakeholders’ perspectives before responding.
Now, this practice anchors our talent engagement model. Understand minds before seeking to change them. Whether wooing candidates or clients, we lead with humility, ask thoughtful questions, and only propose ideas once we grasp needs. Progress flows from collective wisdom rather than isolated demands. Beyond listening, clearly define and regularly reevaluate success metrics with teams. What constitutes progress today may shift tomorrow.
Lou Reverchuk, Co-founder and CEO, EchoGlobal
