Professional development goals are objectives that individuals set to improve their skills, knowledge, and abilities in their current or future careers. These goals can help individuals stay competitive in their field, advance their careers, and increase their earning potential. Setting professional development goals can have many benefits, including staying up-to-date on industry trends, increasing engagement and job satisfaction, and aligning with what you want out of your career and life. Here are some examples of professional development goals to inspire your own:

1. Develop a new skill set.
2. Develop your workplace skills.
3. Take up leadership roles.
4. Improve communication skills.
5. Expand your technical skills.
6. Become a specialist.
7. Take on a leadership role.
8. Earn a raise or promotion.
9. Gain feedback.
10. Work on your weaknesses.
11. Familiarize yourself with new technology.
12. Attend conferences and networking events.
13. Learn from a mentor.
14. Improve time management skills.
15. Increase productivity.

When setting professional development goals, it is important to make them SMART—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This can clarify what you need to achieve in the short-term to arrive at your long-term goals. Start by taking some time to consider what you want out of your career, now or in the future. Goal-setting is a useful exercise because it can clarify what you really want out of your career and identify tangible steps to achieve it.