As the world of work evolves, so should the way ambitious professionals plan their careers.

As the world of work evolves, so should the way ambitious professionals plan their careers. Local online educator GetSmarter is asking new professionals: can you afford not to change the way you approach the goals you set for yourself in 2018?

They’ve prepared a checklist to guide professionals on this sometimes murky path:

Take a moment to think of your career goals

Where do you want to be in five years’ time, honestly? Create a list of your career development goals, both short-term and long-term. Consider what you will have to do to achieve these goals: courses, workshops, mentorships and so on to get set on a new career path, or to improve your current prospects: A promotion, a salary increase or another work benefit like flexi time.

        Read: 24 tips to aid your successful promotion

Use what you read in the 2018 GetSmarter Career guide about the changing career landscape

Dubbed their “guide to intentional career planning and consequent success in 2018”, the guide shares many local industry predictions that assist professionals in setting goals and planning their careers.

Look at how the predictions of future trends influence your industry

Once you’ve researched your field and have an idea of how developing technologies, new policies and global trends will impact your career, you can begin to plan accordingly.

        Read: How will the development of artificial intelligence affect my job?

Decide which skill sets will become invaluable to your career

Align your past and current skills and experience with future requirements and begin to learn all you need to know to be at the forefront of the coming waves of change.

        Read: For future career success you should learn these skills

Download GetSmarter’s 2018 New Professional’s Career Guide, and browse over 8 080 skills enhancing short courses here: Careers24 Training and here: GetSmarter.