Skip to main content
News

Goal Setting: What’s Your Professional Development Plan?

As you begin thinking about your professional development goals for the year, consider asking your manager the following:

  • Where do you see the greatest opportunity for me to grow this year?
  • What skills or experience would best prepare me for future opportunities?
  • What development opportunities would help me build those capabilities?

With the launch of Sequoia, goal setting will move into the new EDGE performance management process going forward. This is a good opportunity to think holistically about the year ahead when your goal setting process begins — the outcomes you will deliver, the projects you will lead, and the impact you want to make — as well as your professional development. Together with your manager, you can identify areas for growth and create a plan that supports your career aspirations.

Growth opportunities to explore

As part of your goal-setting conversations, consider which development opportunities you'd like to pursue this year and discuss them with your manager. They can support you and help identify the best path forward for your development.

 Here are some opportunities you may want to consider: 

  • Leadership Development: If growing as a leader is one of your goals this year, talk to your manager about participating in the Stanford Technical Leadership Program (STLP) or the Information Technology Leadership Program (ITLP). These programs require a manager nomination or a self-nomination, though you are encouraged to discuss your interest with your manager first. The nomination period starts this month, so make this conversation a priority if you are interested. 
  • Mentoring: The next IT Mentoring Program cohort will begin in February 2027, with the application period opening this November. If you are interested in participating as either a mentee or a mentor, talk to your manager about the skills you may want to develop in your mentoring relationship. Your manager may know of a great mentoring partner for you (the mentoring program takes requests for specific mentors/mentees). 
  • Experiential development: If you'd like a hands-on learning opportunity, consider the IT Experiential Development Program (IT EDP). Opportunities include informational conversations, observations of meetings, and short-term development assignments. Talk with your manager about opportunities that align with your development goals and consider which of these could help you stretch beyond your current role.

Plan ahead

Professional growth is most successful when it's intentional. By starting the conversation with your manager early, you'll be well positioned to create a thoughtful plan and take advantage of the many development opportunities available throughout the year.

DISCLAIMER: IT Community News is accurate on the publication date. We do not update information in past news items. We do make every effort to keep our webpages up-to-date.