GreatIf! Blog: Achieving Career Sustainability & Practical LinkedIn Strategies

According to professional coach and keynote speaker Monique Valcour, PCC, PhD, there are four key elements to creating a sustainable career: alignment, ongoing learning, self-care, and adaptability.

First is “alignment” – ensuring that our work is in alignment with our core interests, strengths, and values. According to Gallup research, people who intentionally use their strengths are three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life and six times as likely to be engaged in their jobs (Gallup).

The second is immersion in ongoing learning and renewal. In line with Maslow’s self-actualization principle, it’s when we aspire to fulfill our potential and optimize our effectiveness that we achieve our highest self.

The third element, self-care, involves deliberate efforts to nurture our emotional and physical well-being while cultivating deep, energizing relationships.

Finally, Valcour discusses the importance of adaptability as a core skill that enables us to pivot, refocus, and reimagine ourselves in response to shifting external circumstances. Especially in today’s VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) world, being nimble and agile is essential for ensuring professional resilience and fostering continued growth.

In discussing success towards achieving sustainable careers, Valcour underscores the importance of making progress towards things that are meaningful to us.  To make progress, it’s crucial that we set specific goals as well as actionable steps for achieving those goals.

When you look back to significant moments in your personal and professional journey, do you recognize the presence of these four elements in those experiences? If not, what steps can you take now to integrate them more fully into your life and career?

Here’s an actionable checklist juxtaposed against each key ingredient in Valcour’s recipe for sustainable careers:

Alignment Identify core strengths, interests, and values using personal SWOT analysis	Lifelong Learning Explore new knowledge and skills Leverage network to wayfind – ask questions, seek feedback, offer value
Self Care Make time for things that energize you Set boundaries to avoid overwhelm Invest in meaningful relationships (as self-awareness crystalizes through our conversations with others)	Adaptability Be comfortable with uncertainty Reframe uncertainty as an opportunity for learning

LinkedIn is a phenomenally helpful yet underutilized tool for those interested in building sustainable careers for themselves.

Did you know:

• You can download your first-degree connections using LinkedIn? Go to “Me” >> Settings >> Data Privacy and select “Get a Copy of Your Data,” select  “Connections” and request the archive.
• Identify content creators in your field of interest using targeted searches: Enter job-related keywords in the main search bar >> click “Posts” tab to filter for content >> Look for the “All Filters” option >> Select “Author Company.” Add your dream companies to see content specifically from the companies you’re interested in.
• Get the scoop on company culture by talking to former employees.  Run blank search >> Use filters to add your target company under the “Past Company” option. Use results to discover individuals who previously worked at your target company (don’t be afraid to reach out for informational interviews & advice!)
• Be adaptable. Filter for “People”. Add your dream companies to the “Companies” filter and add companies in your current industry to “Past Companies” Use results to discover career changers to inspire your own transition.

Whether you’ve achieved a sustainable career and want to share your story, or you’re feeling stuck and need guidance, Questrom’s alumni and career staff are here to acknowledge your success and support you with growing your career. Reach out to questromalumni@bu.edu to share your success story or book a career coaching appointment with Feld to take the next step in your career journey.

Remember, a sustainable career is a lifelong pursuit. By focusing on alignment, learning, self-care, and adaptability, you can navigate the ever-changing professional landscape with confidence and purpose.

Written by Dee Kayalar Polat, ICF-PCC, Director of Alumni Engagement, Questrom School of Business and ICF and Gallup Certified Professional Coach