Many women feel stuck in their careers at some point in their professional journey and might wonder what is next. Regardless of the reasons for the feeling of stagnation, what rises as a common trend is that women tend to struggle more than men when defining and conveying their career goals openly in their organizations.
Articulating career ambitions refers to the ability to communicate one’s professional goals, aspirations, and desired career trajectory clearly and confidently. It involves expressing what we aim to achieve, whether reaching a particular position, acquiring specific skills, making a meaningful impact in a certain field, or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.
Career women may encounter many challenges when showing ambitions at work.
- Gender Bias – Implicit or explicit bias can undermine a woman’s ambitions and contributions at work.
- Stereotypes – Stereotypes about gender roles and abilities may lead to assumptions about women’s career aspirations, making it challenging for them to articulate ambitious goals without facing judgment or resistance.
- Lack of Representation. In many male-dominated industries or leadership positions, women may need help finding mentors, sponsors, or role models to support their ambitions and provide guidance.
- Work-Life Balance: Balancing career ambitions with family responsibilities can be challenging for women, particularly in environments where long hours and inflexible schedules are the norm.
- Confidence and Self-Promotion: Women may face internal barriers such as imposter syndrome or a reluctance to claim their achievements, which hinder their ability to assert their ambitions.
- Unequal Opportunities: Unequal access to career advancement opportunities, such as promotions, raises, and challenging assignments, may impede women’s ability to articulate and pursue career goals.
- Lack of Support Systems: Women may need more support from peers, supervisors, or organizational policies that address their unique career advancement challenges.
Women’s career ambitions change at different stages of their lives and are subject to opportunities such as access to quality education. In their early career, women may prioritize gaining experience and building skills, while when they are starting a family or caring for dependents, they might need to reassess their career ambitions during transition points, such as returning from work after maternity, a career break, changing industries, or pursuing entrepreneurship.
Women can strategize and take charge of their careers by understanding the complex interplay of personal, societal, and structural factors impacting their career ambitions and learning how to engage with decision-makers in their organizations.
Articulating career ambitions is essential for career development and advancement because it helps you to set clear goals, attract opportunities, and garner support from mentors, sponsors, and stakeholders. It also lets you align your actions and decisions with your long-term career vision, driving motivation and focusing on your professional journey.
Here are five factors you can consider when articulating your career ambitions so you can overcome barriers, leverage your strengths, and pursue your aspirations with determination:
CLARITY is clearly understanding what you want to achieve in your career, including specific goals, milestones, and desired outcomes.
- Research different career paths that align with your interests and goals. Explore opportunities for growth and advancement, considering both vertical and lateral moves.
- Be specific about what you want, long and short-term.
- Provide context and rationale, sharing the reasons behind your career goals, including your skills, experiences, and aspirations.
CONFIDENCE is about your stance when communicating your ambitions, demonstrating your belief in your abilities and potential to achieve your goals.
- Practice articulating your ambitions confidently and assertively. Be prepared to advocate for yourself and communicate your goals clearly to others. For example: “I believe I have the potential to make a meaningful impact, and I’m excited about the opportunity to grow with the organization. My ideal role is _____.”
RELEVANCE occurs when you align your career ambitions with your interests, values, strengths, and long-term aspirations.
- Reflect on your interests, values, strengths, and aspirations. Consider what truly motivates and excites you in your career.
- Customize your communication plan based on your audience and their interest, considering their perspectives and priorities and adapting the narratives accordingly.
- Provide context for why these goals are important and how they align with your personal and professional values.
SPECIFICITY is when you can provide specific details about your career ambitions, including timelines, action plans, and measurable objectives.
- Create a strategic action plan outlining the steps to achieving your career ambitions. Set deadlines and milestones to hold yourself accountable.
- Prepare compelling narratives using data and examples to support your career goals with metrics and past achievements so you can demonstrate your track record of getting results.
IMPACT is when you can showcase your value to the organization.
- Identify your Unique Value Proposition, reflecting on your skills, experiences, and achievements that set you apart. Consider how you can leverage these strengths to pursue your career ambitions.
- Focus on impact and value, emphasizing how achieving your career goals will contribute to the organization’s success, highlighting the positive impact your goals will have on your team, department, and the company.
Articulating your career ambitions is a dynamic process that needs revisiting as your needs, values, and experiences change. When you approach it with a growth mindset, you commit to lifelong learning and personal growth, become more open to taking risks and adjusting, and learn from successes and failures. Celebrate your achievements and milestones along the way, acknowledging your progress and accomplishments as you work toward your career ambitions.
Allocate time for introspection and contemplation to define your aspirations based on your needs. Success is inherently personal, and while your colleagues’ ambitions may seem imposing, your goals hold significance because they align with your identity and represent the unfolding of your potential.
Stay focused, demonstrating commitment and resilience to pursuing your career goals despite challenges and setbacks. Only those who stay in the game without giving up on themselves will reach their destination.
Don’t do it alone. Surround yourself with supporters who encourage you and want you to grow. Build a network by cultivating relationships with professionals in your field of interest. Networking can provide valuable support, guidance, and opportunities for advancement. Consider working with an experienced career coach who can serve you as a valuable partner by providing personalized guidance, support, and resources, helping you navigate challenges and obstacles, helping you create action plans, and providing you with accountability and support. Your coach will partner with you to craft a communication plan to effectively socialize your career aspirations to your organization for ultimate success.
Overall, women’s career ambitions are shaped by a complex interplay of personal, societal, and structural factors that evolve.
By strategically exploring and communicating career aspirations, professional women can effectively communicate their career goals to relevant stakeholders to garner support for their ambitions. Showing confidence, strategic planning, and proactivity when advocating for their needs starts with being visible and relevant.
Addressing barriers to gender equality and creating supportive environments can empower women to pursue and achieve their career ambitions at every stage of their lives.
