Creating a career development roadmap [free download!]
Career Development Roadmap Template -
FREE for all
Imagine climbing a mountain… but no one told you how high the peak is.
You’re putting in all this effort, mile after mile, but at some point, every step feels pointless. You’re exhausted, lost, and wondering if you’ll ever feel that sense of accomplishment you’ve been chasing.
Now, think of your career progression as that mountain trail – without a clear destination, how do you even know if you’re moving forward?
That’s where having a solid career development roadmap comes in. This kind of planning gives you a clear direction, measurable goals, and a way to track wins along the way so you can stay focused and fueled up.
A development roadmap doesn’t need to be complicated… but it does need to exist! And here's the good news: I created a (totally free!) Career Development Roadmap you can download right here. I made it for busy women who need something simple and actionable (and colorful!) to get their plan started.
Go ahead and grab that, but before you dive in, here are a few thoughts to set you up for success:
Who needs a career development plan?
You! Do you feel like any of these women?
The Day-to-Day Drifter
You’re a one-step-at-a-time kind of woman, and while you’re moving along, you’re realizing it’s time to look a little further down the road.The Stuck & Searching
Feeling lost, stuck, or just itching for a change but have no clue where to begin? You’re not alone! A lot of people feel like they’ve hit a wall at work – they’ve learned the ropes but have no idea what comes next. If that’s you, a development roadmap will give you the map you need to start making moves.The Visionary Boss
You’ve got a clear vision for your life and you know exactly what steps need to happen. If that’s you, congrats! Let’s see what other golden nuggets you can find in this process?
If you’re on a single-track career path or feel like you’ve been working the plan and the plan is working, maybe a development plan isn’t urgent. But for most of us who aren’t quite sure what’s next, a plan can be the key you need to uncover your goals and unlock the route to reach them.
Sidenote: The magic of writing it down
You might have a vague sense of where you want to go in your head, but until you write. it. down., your growth goals are really just a daydream. Writing forces you to articulate what you really want and pushes you toward action!
Step 1: Explore your aspirations
Many people find themselves stuck because they’ve outgrown their job but don’t know what they want to do next. If this is you, it’s time for a deep dive. Whether it’s journaling, researching other roles, or having quiet reflection time, you need to explore your aspirations.
What excites you?
What skills do you want to develop?
What would a fulfilling finish line look like?
One step closer to clarity at a time…
Step 2: Tie aspirations to ACTIONS
The hardest part for most people I’ve worked with is the goal-setting process. It can feel overwhelming to think about what you want to achieve in the next week, month, or year – especially when you’re busy with your current job (Oh, how I’ve been there!). But here’s a secret: progress doesn’t always mean a promotion.
“Career growth” can be as uncomplicated as taking on a new skill in your current role or investing time outside work in a project that aligns with your goals. ALL these things are investments in yourself that can prepare you for your next opportunity when it comes. (And how much would it change the way you looked at your to-do list if you saw each task as an investment in yourself and your future…?)
So, break it down: Think about the individual tasks you can do right now to grow.
What skills can you develop in your current role?
What side projects or stretch assignments can you take on that might prepare you for future opportunities?
How do your personal values align with your career goals? What steps can you take to bring them closer together?
Are there people around you who have the skills or experiences you want to gain? How can you learn from them?
If you had unlimited time and resources, what career or personal project would you pursue? What’s one step you can take toward that vision today?
Incremental growth can be just as meaningful and rewarding as landing a new role (and let’s be real: often less stressful!).
Step 3: Share your plan
Once you’ve written down your career development plan, don’t keep it to yourself. Dreams die in desktop folders! Share your goals and action steps with someone – your manager, a mentor, a trusted colleague… Talking it through can offer new insights and help you identify opportunities or strengths you may not have seen before. Most importantly, it holds you accountable for making progress and can spark ideas.
Ready? Block your calendar for YOU time!
LeadHers, do NOT put this off! Head over right now to download our free Career Development Plan and drop an unbreakable 45-minute appointment with yourself on your calendar. I’d love to hear how it goes for you – take a pic of your planning time and tag me @marisamatz on Instagram or DM me any lightbulb moments!
You got this,
PS – If you want to keep learning about career progression and development, I share resources & more in my monthly newsletter. You can subscribe here →
