The new year is a perfect opportunity to take control of your career journey. Whether you’re a student about to enter the job market or a professional seeking a change, setting career goals and resolutions for 2025 can provide the structure and motivation you need to achieve success.
Keep reading to learn how to use the momentum of the new year to set meaningful goals, build valuable skills, and stay on track throughout the year.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why the New Year is the Perfect Time for Career Planning
- Setting Career Goals for 2025
- Building Skills and Gaining Experience in the New Year
- Creating an Action Plan for Career Success
- Leveraging Mentorship and Networking Opportunities
- Staying Motivated Throughout the Year
WHY THE NEW YEAR IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR CAREER PLANNING
The new year offers a sense of renewal and a fresh start, which makes it the ideal time to evaluate where you are in your career and where you want to be. You may already be focused on making resolutions, so it only makes sense to turn this attention to your work life. Take this opportunity to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and what needs improvement.
By starting your career planning early in the year, you can capitalize on the energy and motivation that come with new beginnings. Many companies start new projects and hiring cycles in January, meaning you’ll be ready to seize opportunities as they arise.
This is also the time when many new courses, workshops, and professional development programs kick off, making it easier to build new skills and move forward in your career.
SETTING CAREER GOALS FOR 2025
Before you can start career planning for the new year, you need to consider the past. Start by assessing your progress over the last 12 months. Ask yourself questions like: What skills did I develop? What challenges did I face? What accomplishments am I proud of? Reflecting on these experiences helps you identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.
Let’s say you’ve been working in food service but are hoping to pivot into accounting. For the past six months, you’ve been taking college courses and are now comfortable with the specialized software used in the field, but you still lack practical experience. Your goal for 2025 is to land an entry-level accounting job.
Effective resolutions follow the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). So, instead of a vague goal like, “I want to get a job,” you could say, “I want to secure an accounting internship by June 2025.” That makes your goal concrete and easier to track.
It’s important to focus on setting goals that are challenging yet realistic. You want to stretch yourself, but not aim so high that you set yourself up for failure. The key is to set goals that inspire you but also align with your strengths and resources.
Set realistic targets that push you outside your comfort zone
BUILDING SKILLS AND GAINING EXPERIENCE IN THE NEW YEAR
Now that you know where you want to go, is there a gap in your skill set that needs to be filled in the new year? Identify the skills relevant to your desired career path and come up with a plan to develop them.
If you’re not sure where to start, research job descriptions for your ideal role to see what skills (both hard skills and soft skills) are frequently mentioned. Then, consider enrolling in online courses, workshops, or diploma programs that align with these skills. Another option is to seek out hands-on experience through internships or volunteer work.
Certifications can also be great career development boosters. For instance, cybersecurity professionals may want to seek out certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker. Accounting clerks may benefit from the Payroll Compliance Professional designation from the National Payroll Institute. And project managers may find new opportunities with certifications like CAPM or PMP from the Project Management Institute.
CREATING AN ACTION PLAN FOR CAREER SUCCESS
After reflecting on your career goals, divide them into smaller, achievable steps. The idea is to break your goals down into incremental milestones to make progress feel manageable.
For example, if your aim is to land a job in tech, your steps could include updating your resume, earning a certification, networking with professionals, and applying to five jobs per month. If you want to improve your public speaking skills, start by joining a club like Toastmasters and setting a target of giving one speech per month.
Any endavours related to your career development are worth pursuing when creating an action plan.
Of course, you won’t know if you’re getting anywhere unless you keep tabs on your progress. You can do this with planners, digital apps like Strides or Habitica, or career journals. Write out your list of steps and check off items as you get them done.
Be sure to schedule regular check-ins with yourself to review your achievements and adjust your plan if necessary. This helps keep you accountable and ensures you stay on track.
Checking off tasks as you complete them will help keep you moving toward your goal
LEVERAGING MENTORSHIP AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
A mentor can be an invaluable asset in your career journey. They can provide guidance, insight, and encouragement, helping you navigate challenges and achieve your goals. Look for mentors through school programs, LinkedIn, or professional organizations. Don’t be afraid to reach out—many professionals are happy to help those just starting out in their careers.
Mentors can also introduce you to other industry insiders, which is extremely helpful. You should always be looking to build relationships and expand your professional network. Doing so allows you to learn about opportunities and gain advice from seasoned pros. Plus, it can be a great way to build your soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence.
So attend events, join relevant online communities, and engage with peers on platforms like LinkedIn. Building a strong network can open doors and provide the support needed to achieve your career goals.
STAYING MOTIVATED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Here are some tips to help you remain focused on your new year career resolutions:
- Create a vision board: Visualize your goals by creating a vision board with images, quotes, and milestones that inspire you.
- Reflect on your “why”: Regularly remind yourself why these goals matter to you. This keeps your motivation strong during challenging times.
- Find an accountability buddy: Partner with a friend, peer, or mentor who can check in with you regularly and offer support and motivation.
- Limit distractions: Identify and minimize distractions like excessive social media use or procrastination habits that derail your progress.
- Reward yourself: Set small rewards for achieving milestones, like treating yourself to a favorite activity or meal when you reach a goal.
- Stay flexible: Life happens, and goals may need to shift. Adapt and adjust your plans without losing sight of the bigger picture.
NEW YEAR, NEW CAREER: GET STARTED TODAY
The new year offers a fresh chance to take charge of your future. By setting clear goals, building relevant skills, and staying committed to your plan, you can make 2025 a year of growth and achievement as it relates to your career development.
Herzing College can help! We offer a variety of programs in fields like business, design, healthcare, and technology that can give you the skills and confidence to launch a rewarding new career. Most programs are delivered online and include internships for hands-on work experience.
Click below to learn more about what we have to offer.
