We spoke to Julia Cole, Trustee of The Printing Charity and long term employee of the print sector, to get her views on how to approach personal development.
Knowing where to start with personal development can be hard, so why not think about finding a mentor? I’m fortunate to have acted as a mentor for many young people over the years and often suggest the following as a starting place:
- List your strengths and weaknesses
- Think about what direction you want to take
- Look at where there are gaps in your knowledge in order to reach these goals
Once you know the answers to these questions, you can create a personal development plan, with tangible actions you need to take.
Finding the right mentor
A mentor can help you create this plan, or help you execute it, especially if they have expertise in the areas you need support with.
The big benefit of having a mentor is how they can help you assess your objectives from a different perspective. A mentor may inspire you with thoughts or suggestions you might not have considered before. With the benefit of your combined experience, you can tackle your plan and work out those goals, and what training may benefit you on a long-term basis.
Do you know someone that would make a good mentor? Perhaps they are a colleague at work or a friend? Make sure to choose someone you feel comfortable with and who understands your desire to develop and grow.
Could you be a Rising Star?
I am thrilled about this year’s launch of the newly rebranded Rising Stars Awards, coming at just the right moment in these challenging times. Together with a mentor, you may have revealed the new skills you are missing, and what training opportunities are available.
Once you know what you need to accelerate in your career, apply to be a Rising Star and you can win a grant of up to £1500 to pay for the training you need.