The document discusses seven ways to measure progress in one's career: 1. Focus on what work you do and how you do it. Don't do work you don't enjoy and understand its purpose. 2. Develop your profession through certification and having others recognize your skills. Success here can help promotions but isn't guaranteed. 3. Take an interest in managing your career path over time. Ensure career changes happen intentionally rather than passively. 4. Your level or "band" within a company is less important than your profession and career development. Don't get fixated on promotions. 5. Your salary is less important than developing your skills and career, but priorities may change over time.

1. A. Seven - Q. Ways to measure progress ? A. Seven - Q. Ways to measure progress ? A. Seven - Q. Ways to measure progress ? IBM Austin Technical Vitality Meeting Mark Cathcart, IBM Distinguished Engineer, April 2007

2. So, you don't want to be a manager! What else is there ?

3. Career ? ca-reer v. 1. To move or run at full speed; rush but seriously... [ed. often downhill out of control.] [From Old French carriere, Racecourse]

4. Career ? ca-reer n. 1. A chosen pursuit; profession or occupation; 2. The general progress in one's working or professional life. but seriously...

5. 1. You are what you do and how you do it! if you don't enjoy it... don't know why you are doing it... what it contributes... Don't do it! You are what you do... You are what you do... NOTHING IS WORK UNLESS YOU'D RATHER BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE! THIS WILL SHOW THROUGH IN THE QUALITY, QUANTITY AND CREATIVITY OF YOUR WORK!

6. 2. Your profession counts It's how others measure you Link aspirations to Profession Be proactive about Certification Your Profession counts... SUCCESS IN PROFESSION DOESN'T GUARANTEE SUCCESS IN PROMOTION/SALARY - BUT IT CAN'T HURT Your Profession counts...

7. 3. Your Career Keep interested in your career, however humble... (it's not just a line from a 60's poster!) If you don't take it seriously... Why you do, what you do How it relates to current and desired status Your Career... MAKE SURE CHANGE IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS FOR YOU, NOT TO YOU! Your Career...

8. 4. Your Band Less important than you think Take care of Profession and Career Don't become fixated on Band Your Band... YOU'LL MISS A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY! Your Band...

9. 5. Your Salary Make up your own mind on this Importance will ebb/flow Your Salary... 1-4 ARE MORE IMPORTANT! Your Salary...

10. 6. Your Manager Understand your relationship Always be honest about what you want Don't be naive Manages you for the company and the company for you! Your Manager... INCREASINGLY NEED AN EXECUTIVE SPONSOR! YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING BEYOND YOUR MANAGER FOR THIS! Your Manager...

11. 7. Your Job What the company pays you for Jobs come and go - as technology comes and goes What you do, and how well you do it; Progress in Profession; Interest in your career; Realistic expectations All Outweigh the job you do Your Job... GET EVERYTHING ELSE RIGHT, YOU CAN SURVIVE A BAD JOB! Your Job...

12. Leverage and Questions Leverage processes PBC: Comment on what you really did; What you want to do next! Skill plan(IDP): Push for new skills; What you have to do to achieve them; Ask Questions of yourself, your manager What do I need to do to get to my next Band ? What projects do I need to do to get to my next Band ? How will they contribute to next profession step ? NEVER ASK WHY, ASK WHAT AND WHEN Leverage and Questions

13. Must understand at least three of these key to success and progress Must make progress on one EVERY year Have view and plan on progress on all COMMIT TO YOUR GOALS IN WRITING (PBC, IDP, e-MAIL, Private Journal, TO-DO) Getting it right... Getting it right...