June 2024

Charting a Course for Career Development: Five Keys to Professional Success

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From focusing on results to staying true to yourself, navigating a successful career journey requires a combination of skill, mindset and values. These timeless principles are essential for career development in the evolving landscape of the transportation industry. Here, we delve into our keys to career development.

Focus on Results: Delivering results is paramount in today's competitive technical services environment. Whether it is meeting client needs, executing projects with excellence, or meeting commitments, aligning your actions with outcomes, and holding yourself accountable helps to build trust, credibility, and a reputation for reliability.

Talent: To create a thriving workplace where people are valued, nurtured, and want to work, you must foster a sense of belonging and recognition for contributions. Providing opportunities for continuous learning and growth empowers people to develop skills, and creatively solve client challenges.

Mentorship: By investing time to build a pipeline of talent, you facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development while cultivating a culture of support. Embracing the concept of reverse mentorship also ensures that learning remains a two-way street, fostering innovation and fresh perspectives.

View Challenges as Opportunities: Embracing this mindset will propel your career upward.  By saying yes to new experiences to foster curiosity, innovation, and resilience. Being confident in your ability to learn and adapt, even in the face of failure, allows for continuous improvement and progress.

Stay True to Yourself: Whether honoring commitments to clients, colleagues, or leadership, maintaining integrity and authenticity builds trust and credibility. Staying true to your personal and professional aspirations will ensure that your career choices align with your passions, purpose, and long-term objectives.

Navigating career development in our dynamic transportation industry requires a multifaceted approach. By embodying these principles, we have continued to grow in our careers while making meaningful contributions to the industry. We are proud to be a part of a firm that is committed to diversity and inclusion. AECOM, especially through its WTS involvement, recognizes the importance of strengthening and empowering the next generation. Our company is dedicated to mentoring and supporting women and emphasizing their accomplishments across our organization.

Alanna Strohecker is AECOM’s global leader for Surface Transportation and Goods Movement. She has more than 23 years of specializing in project management within the ports, freight rail, and global goods movement industry. Alanna is a WTS International Board Director and an active member of the WTS Philadelphia Chapter.

An aviation leader with over 18 years of experience, Linell Olecki began as an airport planner at AECOM and progressed to her current role as the Aviation Market Lead for New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Linell is active with WTS’ Greater New York and Philadelphia chapters.