Professional Career Time line

The Career Time Line supplies a checklist of helpful actions for assuring greater success during the six phases of your career, beginning in college and continuing through your retirement.

Please reflect on each phase, set your goals, and frequently re-evaluate yourself to keep your career plan current.

This Time Line is a product of the AIAA Career & Workforce Development Committee. It is the compilation of information and experiences of individual members. The information is intended as general guidelines for technical professionals, and should be tailored to individual situations.

THroUGHoUT YoUr Career Assessyourselftodefinespecificgoals.Periodicallycheck,reassess,extend,ormodifygoals.

Activelyparticipateinyourcareerdirectionandassessment.Schedulemeetingswithsupervisorsandmentorstodiscussyourcurrentperformance,expectations,andfuturepossibilities.

Keepyourresumecurrentbyaddingnewprojects,responsibilities,andaccomplishmentseverysixmonths.

Remainactiveinaprofessionalsocietythatrepresentsyourdiscipline,suchasAIAA.

Establishandmaintainprofessionalcontacts.Activelydevelopandsustainnewconnections,bothinternalandexternaltoyouremployer.

Developandmaintainaprofessionalwebpresence.CreateandmaintainaprofileonprofessionalnetworkingsitessuchasLinkedIn.MonitorandcorrectanynegativeinformationappearinginInternetsearchesforyourname.

Write,publish,andpresentyourownworkattechnicalmeetings.

Stayabreastofnewdevelopmentsinyourfieldbysubscribingtoappropriateperiodicals,attendingworkshopsandseminars,andtravelingtointernationalandnationalconferenceswhenfeasible.

Pursueadditionalformaleducationandon-the-jobtrainingtoremaincompetitiveinanincreasinglycomplexglobalbusinessenvironment.

Enhanceorganizationalandinterpersonalskills,includingcommunication,interviewing,andnetworking.

Maintainanappropriatebalanceamongfamily,career,community,andrecreation.

Managemoneywiselyandperiodicallyseekprofessionaladviceaboutfinancialplanningmatters.

Sustaingoodphysicalandmentalfitness.

Remainadaptabletoallchanges(technological,social,etc.)implementedintheworkplace.

Takeadvantageofco-opopportunitiesandinternships.Workinacareer-relatedfieldduringsemestersorwhileonbreak.

ParticipateinanAIAAStudentPaperCompetitiontolearnhowtoprepareandpresenttechnicalpapers.

Seekadditionalopportunitiestodevelopleadership,communication,andmanagementskillsinadditiontotechnicalskillsthroughcoursework,competitions,andstudentorganizationsandactivities.

Developrelationshipswithyouradvisor,professors,andcareerservicescounselor.

Prepareyourresume.Postitonrelevantprofessionalsocietysites,suchastheAIAACareerCenter.

Researchpotentialemployersinyourchosenfield.

Networkwithprospectiveemployers.

Interviewwithon-campusrecruiters.

Professionalizeyouronlinepresence.

Developgoalsandmakecareer-pathdecisions(e.g.,industryvs.governmentvs.R&Dvs.designvs.manufacturingvs.teaching,etc.)

DecideifyouwilltaketheFE(EIT)Exam.Takeitduringyoursenioryear.

Makearealisticandvalidfirst-jobchoicebaseduponyourcareerinterests,notjustonsalaryorinitiallocation.

ComPleTinG ColleGe Years in Work Force: College Freshman Graduation

Career Phase: Student

Typical Age: 18 22

Professional Career Time line

Six Phases of Professional Development

UpgradefromAIAAStudentMembertoProfessionalMember.

Learnthecompanyropesandadjusttoroutinesoftheworkplace.

Becomeaneffectivecontributortotheteam.

Developamentororsponsorrelationshiptohelpyounavigatetheorganizationalculture.

Enhanceyourtechnicalcompetency.Subscribetoperiodicalsandtechnicaljournals,and/ortakecontinuingeducationcourses.

Presentpapersonyourwork(participateinlocalminisymposia,nationalyoungprofessionalpapersessions,etc.).

Considerobtaininganadvanceddegree(technicaldisciplineorMBA).

Startpreparingforthestateprofessionalengineeringlicense,ifavailable,inyourfieldordiscipline.

Meetwithafinancialadvisortosetlong-termsavingsandinvestmentgoals.

firsT JoB Years in Work Force:

0 3

Career Phase: New Engineer or

Scientist in Training

Typical Age: 22 25

Professional Career Time line

Six Phases of Professional Development

Continuedevelopingtechnicalskillsandcredentials.

Gainexposuretomanagementandotherdisciplines.

Consultmentorsregardingcareergoalsandsteps.Considerchangingyourjob,employer,career,etc.toreadjustyourpath.

Seekandaccepthigherlevelsofresponsibility.Learntomakeeffectivedecisions.Keepuptodateonadvancementsinyourdiscipline.

Obtainstateengineeringlicense.

Assumealeadershiproleatthelocal,regional,ornationallevelofAIAA.

ApplyforassociatemembershiponanAIAAtechnicalcommittee.

Beproactiveinyourcareerdecisions.

Considerafter-hoursgraduateprogramsinyourspecialty,oranMBAprogram.

Meetwithfinancialadvisortoadjustlong-termplansvs.shorttermneeds.

earlY Career Years in Work Force: 3 10

Career Phase: Young Professional

Typical Age: 25 32

Professional Career Time line

Six Phases of Professional Development

Makeacareerpathdecisiontoremaininatechnicalareaormoveintomanagement.

Ifmovingintomanagement,honeyourmanagementandhumanresourcesskills;developingtheseskillstakesasmucheffortasenhancingtechnicalskills.

Stayuptodateinyourchosenspecialty.

Becomeamentororsponsorforyoungengineersandscientists.

ApplyforfullmembershiponanAIAAtechnicalcommittee.

Continuetotakeonadditionalassignmentsorareasofresponsibility.

ApplyforahighergradeofmembershipinAIAA.

Assumeprofessionalleadershiproles.

ContinueupgradingyourleadershiproleinAIAAatthelocal,regional,andinternationallevels.

Beginretirementplanning.

miD-Career Years in Work Force:

10 22

Career Phase: Senior Professional

(Technical or Supervisory)

Typical Age: 32 52

Professional Career Time line

Six Phases of Professional Development

Continueprofessionalleadershipprogressionbyobtainingassignmentswithincreasingresponsibilityandauthority.

Staytechnicallyuptodate.

Continuementoringandprovidingguidancetoyoungerprofessionals.

Representyourorganizationoutsidetheworkplace.

Diversifyyourskillsordevelophobbiesthatcouldleadtoasecondcareeroraddedincomeuponretirement.

Teachatacollegeoruniversity,orstartyourownconsultingpractice.

Continueretirementplanning.

laTe Career Years in Work Force: 22 40

Career Phase: Recognized Expert

Typical Age: 52 Retirement

Professional Career Time line

Six Phases of Professional Development

Implementyourretirementplans.

Replacecompulsoryactivitywithdesiredleisurewants.

Findnewsourcesofprofessionalandpersonalsatisfaction.

Consideropportunitiesforpart-timework,consulting,teaching,orasecondcareer.

Useaccumulatedexperienceandwisdomonbehalfofothersinvariousseniorroles.

Tutorpre-collegestudentsinSTEMdisciplines.

Workwithalocalcollegeoruniversitytodeveloppre-collegeoutreachprogramsinmathandscience.

RemainactiveinAIAA;maintainprofessionalcontacts.

reTiremenT Years in Work Force:

40+

Career Phase: Expert Emeritus

Typical Age: 60+

Professional Career Time line

Six Phases of Professional Development