Sholina Durga, Managing Director for Distance Learning and MBA at Richfield shares her insights.
How we advance in our careers has changed. Before the pandemic, managers saw first-hand how we worked and interacted, and this physical visibility often played a significant role in advancement. But, in today’s hybrid and remote environments, these signals are less apparent. To position yourself for promotion, you now need to be more intentional about the areas that sit beyond your formal job scope.
Sholina says that career development is no longer something that ‘just happens’: “You need to take ownership of your trajectory. You need to build the skills and visibility that move you forward.”
Here, she unpacks five areas that support career progression in the modern workplace:
Start with a self-assessment: You can plan your career more effectively when you understand your strengths and skills. The first steps are identifying your current capabilities, and reviewing how they align with the direction your employer and industry are taking. The next step is to fill any gaps. These reviews and adjustments should form a continuous, internal feedback loop that informs an ongoing action plan.
Upskill, all the time: With the world of work in a constant state of flux, the qualification you earned 10, or even five, years ago may no longer be relevant. To add as much value as possible to your role, you need up-to-date career-focused qualifications designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to succeed.
Learn how to use AI: With AI defining almost every aspect of professional environments, it is increasingly important to understand how – and when – to use it.
“AI can be invaluable for exploring ideas and comparing concepts,” Sholina says. “These tools can enhance efficiencies, but they are not a replacement for human capabilities. Developing the ability to use AI ethically while maintaining critical thinking skills is a core professional competency.”
Build quality networks: Long considered essential for professional visibility, networking is more important than ever. Talking to the right people, at the right time, helps ensure that your name is mentioned in the right conversations before roles are even advertised. Attending conferences, leading industry discussions, and engaging meaningfully on platforms like LinkedIn can help you access opportunities, strengthen your credibility, and open doors.
Hone your professional reputation: Advancement is often influenced by how leaders perceive your reliability and expertise, and reputation has emerged as one of the most powerful career assets.
Being known for mastery of a specific area of expertise positions you better when new opportunities arise. Consistency and visibility also matter. Delivering quality work, meeting deadlines, and communicating effectively all contribute to your credibility, while sharing learnings and collaborating constructively allows you to demonstrate your capabilities more widely.
Details: www.richfield.ac.za
