Everybody today is quite ambitious and focussed on their career development . so now let us first understand what does career development actually mean and how can one achieve career development in the right direction. So lets see what is career development? It is a process by which individual or any organisation or company manage their own career or career of their employees within and between organisations. In short it deals with the overall psychological, sociological, educational, physical, economic, and chance factors that combine to influence the nature and significance of work in the total lifespan of any given individual."

After having known what is career development now lets moe further to see why is it essential? Career development is not only crucial for students who have to plan their future lives based on the career they choose. It is equally important for people who are currently working and want to improve their job prospects and take their career to new heights. a career development program helps you discover career opportunities that you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise before. It makes you aware additional benefits that you can aquire from your present educational qualifications or it may inform you about any relevant course that may open up various avenues for your career. it will also guide you into doing what you want with your life – rather than just drifting into a job i.e it helps you to set your career goal. Generally, a career goal in based on your skills and interests, career possibilities, and job trends. Once you have chosen a career, think strategically about the steps to accomplish your goal.

Career development programs in organisations serve as motivator for the employees. It brings forward the grievances and expectations of the workers as well as candidates with high potential before the higher authorities. Also employees are benefited as they get a clear focus about their career track. The typical employee views a career development programme as a path to upward mobility, the manager sees it as a retention and motivational tool, and the top management view it as a tool for succession planning. Many colleges and institutions also arrange for such programmes so that their students get a clear idea about their future and are ready to face the interviews.

Here are a few steps that may prove handy for career development at your personal level---

1) Identify your current skills, knowledge, abilities, and interests.
2) Identify the new skills, knowledge, and experiences you would like to acquire and have. Do these goals match your personal and career interests? Are your goals in agreement with your organization's goals, mission and vision?
3) Identify the gap between the current situation and the desired outcome. This will produce a statement of purpose that should clarify why you want to learn something, and what specific skills, knowledge and abilities you wish to develop.
4) Identify what skills, knowledge, and abilities are to be acquired or enhanced.