Regardless of your current job title in the golf industry, the future will include opportunities for new roles and challenges. Maybe you just landed your first job as an assistant superintendent and you are beginning to chart your path in the coming years to reach the golf course superintendent level. Or perhaps you are currently in your dream job and plan to retire at that property. Regardless, there are still new roles and challenges that may be on your horizon, such as capital improvement projects and developing future leaders. In this month’s Career column, we will explore ways to bridge the gap between your current role and the next one in your career journey.
Honest assessment. The launching point for career advancement starts with an honest assessment of our own professional skills, soft skills and personal qualities. This helps determine the opportunities for growth that will build the bridge to the next career step. For example, when I am presenting to an audience of assistant superintendents who are asking how to attain the role of superintendent, I first start with a few simple questions. What is your boss responsible for that you are not? What professional qualities, soft skills and leadership attributes does he or she possess? The answers to those questions are a great starting point for identifying the gap between you and your sought-after next job.
In addition to building skills and experience to be qualified for your next role, an honest self-assessment must include recognizing your personal strengths and weakness, commonly termed self-awareness. Even though self-awareness has become a hot topic in professional leadership circles lately, it has been part of ancient wisdom for centuries. Aristotle is quoted as teaching, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” More recently, Stephen R. Covey explains, “Self-awareness involves deep personal honesty. It comes from asking and answering hard questions.” I encourage you to schedule time in your calendar to conduct an honest assessment of your current professional skills and personal qualities. Then, chart a path for personal and professional development to become not just qualified for the next level, but to become the whole person that portrays where you want to go.
Phone a friend. You may be wondering how to gain these skills that you have identified. The answer may be closer than you think. I taught with a general manager who told a story of how, when he first started in the golf industry, he had no experience with accounting or financial reports. He realized that if he ever wanted to advance past his current role as an assistant superintendent, he needed to fill that gap in his skill set. He asked the controller at his club if she would meet with him on a regular basis to learn about golf facility financial operations. She was glad to help, and their meetings became a game changer for his understanding of the big picture of golf club success, expanding his skills beyond just the maintenance department and his eventual career advancement to be a general manager at a top national golf club. Seek out people at your golf facility and in your community to learn from their experience and knowledge. Another quick tip: If developing your skills in interacting with golfers and members is a goal, seek out your PGA Club Professional to learn from their training and expertise in this area.
Maximize your membership. GCSAA and state and local chapter associations exist to support you, as together we advance and grow the game of golf. Take advantage of membership benefits, education and opportunities to serve, grow your leadership skills and build your network. For example, did you know that as part of your membership, you can have a complimentary résumé, cover letter and portfolio critique, reviewed by a golf industry career professional? There are additional career services, such as interview preparation, negotiating for a job and career document creation for a reduced member fee.
The next time you see a job opening or new role at your golf facility, have the courage to assess your skills and qualities honestly, and then create a blueprint to bridge the gap and win that role.
Carol D. Rau, PHR, has been a career consultant and speaker with GCSAA since 2005 and specializes in golf and turf industry careers. Rau is a frequent speaker at national, regional and local GCSAA conferences and teaches GCSAA webinars.