January is a natural time for reflection and forward movement, especially when it comes to your career. Whether you’re seeking your next big opportunity, transitioning into a new field, or looking to grow in your current role, a strong career development plan gives you the clarity and momentum you need to make meaningful progress.
This month, focus on career support to reassess your goals, gain fresh insights, and tap into resources designed to help you thrive. The UMGC Alumni Chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), an initiative launched in Fall 2023, exists for this very purpose. Since its founding, nearly 1,700 UMGC alumni have participated, building leadership skills, networking, and advancing both personal and professional goals.
If you’re ready to elevate your career in 2026, here’s a step-by-step approach to creating a strategic, sustainable career development plan, plus how the NSLS can support your next stage of growth.
What Career Development Really Means and Why It Matters
Career development is more than updating your résumé or scrolling job boards. As outlined in the NSLS career development guide, it’s an ongoing process that includes assessing where you are, defining where you want to go, and building the skills and experiences that will help you get there.
Even if you're already established in your field or working in your dream job, career development keeps you adaptable, competitive, and ready for long-term growth. Today’s job market changes quickly. Industries evolve. Technologies shift. New opportunities emerge. A structured development plan ensures you’re evolving along with them.
For UMGC alumni balancing careers, families, military service, and continuing education, being intentional about career development isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.
Step 1: Take a Meaningful Self-Assessment
Great career planning begins with clarity. Before updating LinkedIn or exploring job listings, take stock of your:
● Strengths and transferable skills
● Values and motivators
● Past experiences
● Goals—short-term and long-term
● Interests and work-life priorities
Think about where you want to be in five to ten years and what kind of work environment, schedule, and growth trajectory would make you feel fulfilled.
This step can be especially powerful for UMGC alumni who may be returning to the workforce, switching industries, or advancing from military to civilian careers.
Step 2: Explore Industries and Gain Hands-On Experience
Once you understand what you want, research industries and roles that align with your skills and goals. This includes:
● Taking courses or certifications
● Shadowing professionals
● Attending virtual events
● Seeking mentorship
● Volunteering or freelancing
● Joining professional associations
No experience is wasted; even roles outside your chosen field help build soft skills like communication, teamwork, leadership, and organization. These competencies are highly valued by employers and can often be your greatest differentiator.
Step 3: Identify Skill or Experience Gaps
Once you have a clearer vision of your ideal future role, compare it to your current skillset. What qualifications, experiences, or competencies are you missing?
You might discover you need:
● A certification
● Project management experience
● Technical skills
● Public speaking practice
● Industry-specific knowledge
Talking with a mentor, supervisor, or career coach can provide clarity. For UMGC alumni, this is where partnering with the UMGC Career Services office can be invaluable.
Step 4: Set SMART Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
Setting goals the right way is key to staying motivated. Break your big ambitions into small, manageable milestones using the SMART method: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
For example:
Long-term goal: Transition into cybersecurity
Short-term goals:
● Complete foundational certification
● Join a cybersecurity professional group
● Build a small portfolio of hands-on projects
● Attend one networking event per month
Or:
Long-term goal: Move into a leadership role
Short-term goals:
● Join a leadership organization
● Participate in team projects
● Learn your leadership style
● Complete a leadership assessment such as DiSC
The more clearly you define these steps, the more momentum you’ll build.
Step 5: Review, Adjust, and Celebrate Progress
Your plan should be flexible. Careers evolve, priorities shift, and new opportunities arise. Regular check-ins ensure you’re moving forward while allowing room to adjust timelines, goals, or strategies.
And don’t forget to celebrate your wins, big or small. Progress is progress.
How the NSLS Supports Your Career Journey
The NSLS exists to help members develop the leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills employers value most. UMGC’s Alumni Chapter continues to grow, offering access to:
● Networking opportunities
● Leadership development programs
● Goal-setting support
● Internship and job resources
● Speaker broadcasts
● Digital learning tools and badges
By joining, you gain lifelong access to a community dedicated to your personal and professional growth. All UMGC alumni are invited to join using the unique code below.
Join the UMGC Alumni NSLS Chapter
Unique code: 19922-228-12837
Start the Year Strong
January offers a unique moment to pause, reflect, and reset. By taking deliberate steps, self-assessment, research, skill-building, goal-setting, and continual evaluation, you’re investing not only in your career but in your long-term fulfillment and success.
Whether you’re exploring a new path or leveling up in your current one, you’re not navigating it alone. UMGC’s partnership with the NSLS ensures you have support, community, and resources whenever you’re ready to take the next step.
Read more alumni news.