I've thought a lot recently about vetting jobs, planning your career, & how to break it into simple phases / needs.

Here's where I've landed. Thread:

Your three most important personal opportunities at any job:
- the chance to learn
- the chance to practice
- the chance to own

All are important. There's value on intense focus in an individual category at certain career moments, but you want all three.

THE CHANCE TO LEARN:

We all start here. It's best when there's a manager or teacher, but many orgs give you space to self-educate (cough they don't invest in employee training).

It's vital to dedicate education hours at every phase of your career.

Even when your job's more focused on practice (repetitions for mastery) or ownership (your opportunity to lead your own way), outside-the-immediate-job learning is what keeps you fresh and innovative. It's fundamentally different than the incremental growth from practice.

THE CHANCE TO PRACTICE:

It's easy to learn skills, do them once, then demand a raise/promotion. It also will harm you down the line. You need to get reps in. Truly master certain skills.

If you're constantly learning, but not practicing, you never nail anything.

Specialists are also more hire-ready than generalists. Job descriptions are built for them. Organizations know how to use specialists, aka experts.

Never underestimate how being the best at one thing can drive your career.

THE CHANCE TO OWN:

Sometimes the hardest to find. As we all learn & practice, we'll theorize & devise our own ideas. Most will wonder if they can run the show.

You'll need that opportunity to lead. It's the best way to self-evaluate & find the nuances.

Plenty of good data on how empowering employees to own their work increases happiness and output. Even during your most junior days, find companies that allow you own something - anything.

The best gigs offer the full package: learning, practice & ownership. You'll grow the most when you have D. All of the above.