Day 1: Ask for reimbursement for an external course, book or career coaching
Your career development shouldn't come out of your own pocket - especially when it directly benefits your work and team!
Ask for reimbursement for an external course, book, or career coaching.
Even if your company has a learning stipend, this isn't about using up a perk. It's about making your growth visible and showing how it drives results. When you ask for support, you're not just requesting budget.
You're advocating for your development and linking it directly to team goals.
Use this script: “I'd like to discuss getting company support for [specific course/book/coaching]. It’ll help me build [skills] that support [team goals or projects], especially [specific examples]. Is there a way for the company to cover the cost?”
Why this works: ✔ Shows initiative and ownership ✔ Connects your growth to outcomes ✔ Turns invisible development into visible value
Who to ask: Start with your manager. They might not have final say, but they can direct you to the right person: HR, finance, or your skip-level lead.
If it's a yes: Share what you learned. It shows impact and makes your next ask easier.
If it's a no: Ask about partial coverage, team discounts, or other internal resources.
Making the ask is a leadership move.
👍 Liked this post? Follow me on LinkedIn or here on Substack for the remaining posts in this series and more!
✅ Want to get even better at asking? I still have a limited number of seats left in the July 25 cohort of my course. Last cohort of this year! https://maven.com/chaitali-narla/outstanding-tech-career