Defining Active Career Management
Ellen Steverson, founder of StartingBlock Career Services LLC, defines career management as a deliberate practice rather than a passive state. It requires individuals to acknowledge their desire for a specific life and use their professional path to fund that objective. While many employees fear career gridlock or periods of stagnation, Steverson argues that these moments are opportunities to recalibrate. She suggests that work is a tool for building a life, not the sole definition of a person’s existence. By taking ownership of professional decisions, individuals move from reacting to market forces to navigating their own trajectories.
The Cost of Rushed Decisions
Professional transitions often leave individuals bruised. Steverson recalls a pivotal mistake early in her own career when she was laid off while on maternity leave. Feeling pressured to maintain her identity as a career-minded professional, she accepted a position with a competitor almost immediately. This decision resulted in three years of employment within a toxic environment, as she had failed to perform adequate research on the new firm. She advises clients to pause and process such events rather than pouncing on the first available exit. Taking time to heal allows for better decision-making and prevents the common trap of jumping into unsuitable roles under duress.
Business Fluency and Security Roles
Security professionals often define their value solely through protection. Steverson identifies this as a limited view that frames security as a business expense rather than a value driver. She advocates for business fluency, which is the ability to explain how a specific role contributes to the organization’s financial health. Employees should demonstrate how their work saves money, increases revenue, or strengthens stakeholder relationships. When professionals apply this understanding to their daily tasks and decision-making, they move beyond basic compliance and become indispensable assets to their firms.
Strategies for a Competitive Job Market
In a globalized labor market, a single job posting can attract hundreds of applicants. Steverson emphasizes that entry-level candidates should avoid job snobbery, noting that any work experience provides lessons in dependability and communication. She encourages those struggling to find roles within the security sector to look for volunteer opportunities in their local communities or within professional organizations like ASIS. Building a professional network through consistent, strategic engagement is critical. LinkedIn serves as a platform for this growth, provided users treat it as a tool for branding and expert positioning rather than a mere repository for résumés. Refreshing one's profile with authentic content and approachable imagery—rather than stereotypical scowls—helps build the necessary rapport for career advancement.