Work in Progress | Developing a Career Action Plan

There’s something about this time of year that makes growth feel tangible. Maybe it’s the warmer air, longer days, or the simple joy of seeing new flowers pop up around the local parks and neighborhoods. Whatever the reason, spring has a way of nudging us toward fresh starts, and in my line of work, that includes careers.

If you’ve been thinking about what’s next professionally—whether that means advancing in your current role, pivoting into a new field, or re-entering the workforce—you need a plan to get you there.

Introducing: The Work in Progress Career Development Action Plan

Inspired by Idealist’s Work in Progress newsletter, this series is designed to walk you through a practical, manageable approach to career growth over the course of the next three months. Think of it as your summer roadmap broken down into simple, actionable steps.

May 2026: Reflect on Your Skill Gaps

To set us up for success, we're spending the next month considering where we've been, and where we're going. After all, before you can move forward, you need to understand opportunities for growth and development that will bring you where you want to be.

In the first part of our Career Development Action Plan, I want you to take a moment to think honestly about your current career situation:

• What’s preventing you from advancing in your organization?
• If you’ve been job searching, where are you falling short?
• Are there roles or fields you’re interested in—but don’t yet feel qualified for?

These questions point to the fact that skill gaps can prevent you from advancing in the direction you want to go in. You might realize your skill gaps run technical (like data analysis, AI, or coding), or are more general workplace readiness skills (like public speaking, leadership, or project management). Either way, understanding where you can dedicate a little time to growing these skills is the first step to advancing your career.

Try This!

Fill out the one-pager brought to you by Work in Progress to start identifying areas for growth today. You can print it out to put the 'ole pen to paper, or use a free editing tool online. Keep this one-pager handy, though, because we'll be using it for our June exercise (stay tuned)!

One-Pager: Career Development Action Plan | Identify Your Skill Gaps

June 2026: Reskill, Upskill, and Develop New Skills!

Last month, we reflected on where we currently are in our careers and where we want to be. We thought about the skills we have, the accomplishments we've achieved...and the areas where we still need to grow. This month is all about targeting those growth opportunities.

Of course, not everyone has the time or money to invest in certificate programs or grad school. Luckily, there are some pretty cool resources available to help you advance your career without spending a penny; today, we’re diving into one brought to you by Idealist and IBM SkillsBuild.

Try This!

Check out our one-pager focused on upskilling, reskilling, and developing new skills to prevent resume gaps from costing you the social-impact job of your dreams.

One-Pager: Career Development Action Plan | Reskill, Upskill, and Develop New Skills

July 2026: Identify Possible Next Steps for Your Career

What's the point of doing all this growth if we don't communicate it to the powers that be? Whether you're itching for a new job or a new employer, you have to let them know what you want and why you're the person for the job.

If you've been following along with this Career Development Action Plan, then you've already identified your skill gaps and are working to address them with free online resources. Here's what you do next.

Try This!

Check out our one-pager that details who you need to talk to, and what you need to say, in order to land the social-impact job of your dreams.

One-Pager: Career Development Action Plan | Identify Possible Next Steps for Your Career