The new year brings fresh energy and motivation to take on new challenges. For many, this might mean setting a goal to land a new job, earn a promotion, or advance your career in other ways. Others may focus on professional development—learning a new skill or improving one you’ve been working on. The good news? These goals don’t have to feel overwhelming. By breaking them into small, manageable steps, you can make steady progress all year long.
Step 1: Reflect on Your Past Year
Before setting new goals, take a moment to evaluate where you are. What steps have you taken over the past year to position yourself for your next career move? If you haven’t been actively thinking about this, now is the perfect time. Consider asking yourself:
- What are two or three accomplishments I achieved last year? (Pro tip: If enrolling at SUNY Empire to pursue your degree was one of them—congratulations! That’s a significant accomplishment.)
- What is one skill I developed last year, and how did I develop it? Find out more about the in-demand career readiness skills employers are seeking.
- What is a professional lesson I learned last year, and how can I carry it into 2026?
Step 2: Set SMART Career Goals
Once you’ve reflected on your past achievements, identify 3–4 SMART goals for the year. SMART goals are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
Examples of SMART goals might include: developing a new skill, exploring new opportunities, strengthening your resume, or expanding your professional network.
Step 3: Plan Your Action Steps
To make progress, focus on one goal at a time and outline clear steps to achieve it. For example, if your goal is expanding your network, your steps could include:
- Enhance LinkedIn Connections: Reach out to connect with professionals in your field.
- Schedule Informational Interviews: Inspired by the article 50 Cups of Coffee, aim to meet 5–10 new professionals to learn from their experiences. Use CareerShift or LinkedIn to identify SUNY Empire alumni or industry professionals, and prepare thoughtful questions about their career path.
- Attend Networking Events: Participate in SUNY Empire events or industry-specific networking opportunities.
- Reflect and Record: As you engage in networking, note your experiences in a journal. What are you learning? Are you gaining insight into a specific career path or organization? What advice resonates with you?
By breaking your goals into actionable steps and reflecting on your progress, you set yourself up for meaningful growth in 2026. Remember: small, intentional actions add up to big results.
