New Year, New You: Professional Development through the University of Denver

Nine months into the COVID-19 crisis, and it’s difficult to stay motivated. When the pandemic started, many of us took to new hobbies to break up the monotony of working at home and living in quarantine. Sourdough? Check. At-home cocktail classes? Done. Binge a few new shows on Netflix? Of course.

But what about our careers? With no commute, no meal prepping, and the flexibility of the work-from-home lifestyle, many of us have more time on our hands to invest in our professional lives. Whether we’re chasing a promotion or simply looking to upskill for a future job hunt, professional development is essential for continued career growth. It’s also valuable for those looking to pivot careers or change fields entirely.

Forbes recently released a short-list of self-improvement actions for leaders, and almost all of them (improved empathy and self-awareness, enhanced communication techniques, ability to motivate, mentor, and coach others) tie back to professional development. Monster.com published six professional resolutions for 2021, and expanding your knowledge made the list.

The task of setting New Year’s resolutions may feel daunting when we’re still not sure what 2021 will look like, or if we’ll see any sort of return to what we previously thought of as normal, but one thing’s certain – there’s never a bad time to plan for career development. After all, the great Ernest Hemingway reminds us, “True nobility is being superior to your former self.”

Hoping to kick off your 2021 with some new professional goals and skills? Let University of Denver’s Center for Professional Development help. From grant writing to coaching, marketing to health informatics, find affordable and accessible professional development courses at du.edu/professional.