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Tips to managing your career

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Joyce Shively
  • 375th Medical Operations Squadron commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Several years ago, an officer I worked with was getting ready to PCS. We got to talking about his career plans, when I stopped him. I explained to him that while his goal for an Air Force Institute of Technology funded advanced degree was on target, his timeline was off. I spent the next hour reviewing his career, goals and strategies to accomplish them and set up some reasonable timeframes. Getting ready to leave, he told me that no one had ever sat him down and given him any career guidance, ever.

I was shocked, probably because I'd benefited from two great mentors. After that encounter, I made it my goal to be a mentor to others and make a habit of providing career counseling to anyone at every opportunity. The aspect I emphasize the most is that everyone is responsible to be an advocate and manager of their own career.

Supervisors and commanders take a vested interest in the career progression of their people, but they can't do it all by themselves -- nor should they. Below are some basic actions you need to take to keep your career moving in the right direction.

Review your record every year. Between the vMPF and the Airmen Development Plan Web sites, you have access to all your important personnel documents. Review your SURF and make sure the dates and data are correct. Ensure your OPRs and decorations are in your record and that the included documents are really yours and not someone else's (the wrong one can get in there). Is your ADP current for the next development team review? Make sure to review the DT's comments and discuss them with your supervisor or mentor.

Find a mentor. Webster's dictionary defines a mentor as, "a loyal advisor, teacher or coach." You want to choose someone who has the knowledge, experience and time to help guide you in formulating and achieving your career goals. A mentor will present you with career options, challenge your talents and provide constructive feedback. They should be available for questions and advice but will not necessarily give you the answer.

Request feedback. By AFI, a supervisor is required to provide documented feedback twice a year. They should schedule this feedback session with you. If not, the ratee should approach the supervisor and request it. This is a joint venture. Performance needs to be discussed highlighting the positives and providing guidance for improvements with avenues to achieve standards or greatness.

Provide input. You should keep a log of everything you do and the outcomes of those activities. You may think you don't have time to keep a "diary." Then your supervisor is pleading for input from you and you can't remember what you did this past year. This log is especially important if your rater changed sometime in the rating period. Your boss may not know your were the CGO of last year; wouldn't that be a horrible thing to leave out of your report! Frequently I hear, "you know how hard I work" or "you know what I do." If you assume (you know the definition of that word) this, then you've just made a huge wager on your boss's accurate recollection of your performance and the significance of your last 365 days.

Do PME. As soon as you are eligible, start your PME. You may think you are too busy, but you'll only get busier. Don't wait until the last minute. No PME, no promotion.

Get an advanced degree. Depending on your career field, a degree or lack of one could make or break your promotion to a higher grade. In addition, make sure the degree has legitimacy to your career field. Don't waste your time and money on something you can not or will not use.

Don't get hung up on a job title. A duty title means nothing if you do nothing. Your job performance is what counts. You may not get the job you wanted, but give it your all and do it well--those around you will notice. Review the job description and modify as needed. Make sure it fully reflects the scope, supervisory span and key duties of your position. This makes it easy for the rater (or other readers) to know what you were responsible for and provides a guide for writing bullets on how well you performed.

Do stretch yourself with "opportunities to excel". Just like you exercise to stay fit, you need to step out and challenge your talents. It may be a little uncomfortable at first but you'll see the benefits of toning your leadership skills, flexing your organizational talents to meet challenges, building your endurance for future marathons ... ok, you get the idea. Furthermore, you set yourself apart from the crowd who "come to work and do the job." Notes of caution: a report full of extra duties and lean on the primary job may leave readers wondering if you were a team player or left the work for someone else. In addition, don't wear yourself out! Temper work with down time for yourself and your family.

Do make time for you and your family. Plan for and take your earned leave! All work and no play make you grouchy. There is a multitude of activities in the local area--take advantage of them. Take a trip; get a hobby. Just get some downtime away from the job.

Be an informed consumer, and take the lead to actively manage your career path. Seek guidance on "next jobs," ask for feedback on your performance, and know what is in your records. This is your career, no one else's.