Starting a new job is exciting, and if you've found a job that you enjoy, you probably haven't put a lot of thought into what you want to do in the future. However, if you don't start thinking about your future career plans right away, you might find yourself with the same position years later, feeling like you're stuck. So, even though your new job may seem fun and challenging now, you should start making plans so that you can easily advance up the corporate ladder in the future. Check out these tips to help you start planning for your career advancement.

Continue Your Education

Many companies require employees to have specific degrees in order to apply for certain positions within the company. So, once you decide what job title you want, you need to look into what type of education is needed for that position. For example, if you want to become a business analyst for your company, a marketing or sales manager, or a financial analyst, you might want to consider obtaining a degree in business information management.

In order to get the job that you want, you need to prove to your employer that you have the knowledge needed to get the job done right, so continuing your education is extremely important. Also, many employers offer some type of tuition reimbursement program for employees who want to continue their education, so there's a chance that you might be able to get a degree on your company's dime.

Take Initiative

It's really difficult to move up the corporate ladder if you're not involved with things that are going on within your company. It's the extra work that you do that's going to get you noticed. So, take it upon yourself to ask for more responsibilities, volunteer to help with company functions, and participate in a variety of special projects. This way, you'll gain the attention of your boss, as well as other leaders within your company.

Act Professionally at All Times

If the leaders in your company don't view you as a professional person, they aren't likely to recommend you for any upcoming promotions. You should try your best to always:

• Keep a positive attitude
• Take responsibility for your actions
• Maintain a professional appearance
• Ask questions when needed

If you want to continue advancing within your field, you need to constantly think about the future of your career. You should always know where you want to go and how you want to get there. If you don't have plans for the future, you're more likely to find yourself in the same position five years from now as you are today.