Photograph of fork in the cobblestone road

Career Development and Sustainability

"If you don't know where you are going,
any road will take you there."

L. Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Thoughtful career development and sustainability is an ongoing process of intentional choices, reflection, and renewal — not simply a journey toward promotion or retirement. Through this portfolio, we hope to shine a light on the unwritten factors that contribute to success, spark meaningful conversations, and create space for reflection and planning — supporting CSM faculty to navigate career transitions, build fulfilling careers, and thrive at every stage of their professional journey.

Photograph of Dr. Amonpreet (Preet) Sandhu

Dr. Amonpreet (Preet) Sandhu

Director, Career Development and Sustainability

Career Development Stages

Person planting new plant in garden

Emerging or Early Career

PLANTING THE GARDEN

This is a time for exploration, planting seeds, and imagining what might grow. This stage calls for the energy of curiosity, experimentation, and laying the foundations for a fulfilling career.

Photograph of person watering a garden

Advancing or Middle Career

TENDING THE GARDEN

This is the time to nurture what is growing, recognize what is thriving, and decide what to cultivate, prune, let go or add in. This stage calls for the energy of intentional tending, prioritization, and sustainable growth.

Photograph of someone harvesting a garden

Established or Late Career

HARVESTING THE GARDEN

This is a time to reflect on what has flourished, gather in the harvest, and consider what to preserve, share, or pass on. This stage calls for the energy of reflection, discernment, and thoughtful legacy-building.

Five Things to Consider at Each Career Stage

Emerging Career — Planting the Garden

  1. Identity: Who do I want to be as an academic and professional?
  2. Values: What values will guide my career decisions?
  3. Mentorship: Who can support, guide, and challenge me as I build my career?
  4. Building my portfolio: How will I track, document, and showcase my contributions?
  5. Direction: What opportunities, experiences, and skills should I pursue to build the career I envision?

Advancing Career — Tending the Garden

  1. Identity: Am I becoming the academic and professional I want to be?
  2. Values: Have my priorities and values evolved, and does my work still reflect them?
  3. Sustainability: What do I need to cultivate, change, or let go of to thrive at this stage?
  4. Career progression: What are my options for new opportunities and pathways for promotion?
  5. Renewal: What renewal opportunity (e.g., retreat, holiday, extended break, sabbatical, etc.) would help me re-energize, reflect, and refocus?

Established Career — Harvesting the Garden

  1. What's next? Who do I want to be when I transition out of work?
  2. Transition: How will I thoughtfully transition out of clinical practice, research, teaching, and/or leadership?
  3. Succession: What knowledge, roles, and responsibilities do I need to prepare to pass along?
  4. Legacy: What contributions, experiences, and wisdom do I want to ensure leaves a lasting impact on my community?
  5. New opportunities: How do I want to contribute to my profession and community as I transition into my next chapter?

Want to explore these questions further? Sign up for an upcoming event!

Upcoming Career Development and Sustainability Events

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