Definition of Career Development

Career development represents the entire sequence of activities and events related to an individual's career. Career development encompasses acquiring of educational qualifications and certifications, career path, self-actualization as an individual, shifting of careers and career growth, learning curve, family life, accomplishments and recognitions or felicitations.

Goals

Setting goals and milestones based around well-defined objectives is integral to any career development plan. In today's fast-moving and constantly shifting business and external environment, goal setting tends to be more medium term.

Individual Involvement

Career development is generally decided, shaped and managed by an individual rather than the immediate superior, Human Resources (HR) department or organization-defined influence that it was generation or two ago.

Flexibility

A career development plan needs to flexible enough to account for crisis situations, mid-career blues, relocation possibilities, career shifts and other exigencies.

Staying Competitive

Career development calls for innate professionalism, sharp-edged focus, a keen learning temperament, intent to gain new skills and certifications as desired.

Family Role

Family commitments, growing needs of a young family and health-related issues of elderly parents are some aspects that are part of the stages of career development that influence career shifts, relocation plans and other changes.