Career development advice

tacosandtums

Hi, I have a question about the right way to approach some conversations within my department re: asking for more responsibility, and mapping our what my next step is. Some background: I started at this organization (a hospital) in September (3 years prior workforce experience at another company). I work in Marketing. In January, our director left and a coworker (manager-level) was named Interim director. Today, the interim guy was just named new director. I have a manager that I directly report to, who reports to the director. there is also a VP above new director. 

Now that you have background, here's my situation:

I want to have a conversation about what the next step is for my career. I've got a lot of responsibility in my current role directly related to my career goals, which is fantastic, but there are no raises available here (not even cost of living) because of our atrocious budget situation. I'm due with first baby in October, and the benefits here are great, so I want to stick it out here a couple more years at least. Even if there are no financial incentives, I want to feel like I'm still moving forward. I keep adding responsibility to my role, but with no change in title and no increased "project lead" opportunity- it's just a lot of "support function" type responsibility.

My question is: how do I bring this all up? Do I talk to my manager or go straight to the new director? What do I say? It's just hard to know what the right next move is when I'm due with a baby in October... do I wait until after maternity leave? Also, there's a girl in my same role who has been here 4 years and has not had any promotions... I don't want to overstep my bounds here, but she's been here 4 years and never asked for a promotion, and I am not the type to wait around. 

Thanks in advance for any advice!! 

tacosandtums

There is a yearly review, it's in July, that may be the perfect timing opportunity to wait for! 

The yearly review is literally going over this list of my job requirements and my manager telling me whether or not I meet the job description. We don't have individual goals here, just a list of "meets expectations". When I started working here I asked for goals and was given a print out of my job description. So I hung it up in my cube and every day I try to focus on what's on that list. 

MommyAtty

I think this is the perfect time to start planning for the July meeting. In fact, I'm a great believer in not leaning back right before maternity leave, as I'm in a company and industry where EVERYONE thinks every woman having a baby is sure to quit and be a SAHM. So, look at what your manager does. If you can get their job description without causing a fuss, I would. (Or ask for it in the review.) Then I think it's fine to say, "I know I'm still fairly new, but I'm really interested in moving forward in my career, so can we work on a development plan so I can know the sorts of experience I should be looking to get so that I can move forward?" If you know darn well what those experiences are, still ask but your position is even better. Because your next step is to google development plans and adapt one to your situation. Then ask to set up meetings to review your progress against your plan. And good luck!!

tacosandtums

I agree with you on the not leaning back before mat. leave 100%. 

So your approach would be speak with my direct manager about it, rather than the director? 

MommyAtty

Yes, manager first, and if you can find a way to drop the info on your director, do it! Say you would love their input on your development plan or your career path or what they see as areas where it's important you learn and grow. I'm a great believer in building a team that cares about your career. The more members, the better.

tacosandtums

Thanks, @momtobe2912. I am working on prepariong for next month's review!! 

Also- a good thing that happened during our staff meeting with our new director was he gave a long talk about career development and how as director he wants to push all of us to grow and accept new responsibilities.... so that was awesome!

MommyAtty

Oh, awesome!! Definitely follow up with your director on that when you bump into him! Shows you were listening and are in line with his vision for his organization.