A career path is defined as a long-term plan that includes specific steps or tasks that help you advance to a desirable occupation or new role. It typically involves a series of related jobs or roles that provide increasing levels of responsibility, skill development, and possibly higher levels of compensation. 

Companies that offer that career clear career paths are much more attractive to employees. This is especially true now that the workforce is shifting to more remote work.

Employee turnover can be pretty expensive, too. When you factor in the costs of recruiting, hiring, training, and onboarding, replacing an employee can be costly. One study found that career development programs will save companies a significant amount of time and resources.

1. Knowledge

Knowledge-based career paths allow you to use the knowledge you acquired over time to do your job. Employees in human resources, marketing, and accounting all follow a knowledge-based career path. Other examples include IT professionals and engineers.

2. Skills

Skill-based professions need an understanding of how a specific job function operates. These are often physical, hands-on, or service skills. Many of these roles fall in the construction industry, as well as performers, artists, and restaurant chefs.

You may notice that many positions are cross-functional. Your job may need a combination of knowledge-based and skills-based work. This is the case with lawyers, doctors, and administrative personnel. 

3. Entrepreneurs

An entrepreneur solves a problem or a specific need by selling their own product or service. An entrepreneur can work independently or start a company and hire employees. Many startups, including BetterUp, began with an entrepreneur solving a problem for consumers.

4. Freelance 

People hire independent contractors (or freelancers) to perform a specific job or project. Freelancers offer many services, including graphic design, consulting, home repair, and photography.

1. Adaptability

As mentioned before, every job during your career path may not be a step up on the career ladder. Sometimes a lateral move will be just as impactful as a vertical movement will be. It’s vital to remain adaptive and open to changes in the trajectory of your career.

2. Communication

Communication is a vital skill for anyone on their career path, no matter the industry. When you grow in your career, you won’t just communicate with your teammates anymore. You may be communicating with C-level executives, external clients, potential employees, partners, etc.

Effective communication will prove that you’re not only ready for the next role in your career, but you’re also able to communicate as a strong leader. 

3. Leadership

There may come a time in your career when you evolve into a position that requires you to lead a team. Having strong leadership skills will help you cultivate your career path. Think about the managers and mentors that you’ve had. What qualities did those leaders have that made the most significant impact on you? What leadership styles do you want to adopt for the teams that you’ll lead?

4. Problem-solving

As you will find in most career paths, the work you do will evolve from task-based work into strategy-based solutions. Problem-solving skills will help you with that transition.

Take the problem of high turnover for example. A Human Resources Coordinator may solve this by recruiting two new Marketing Associates. The Director of Human Resources will suggest strategies that the coordinator will execute. Developing strategies that solve problems will be essential through your career path development. 

5. Time management

Time management won’t always be about how much work you can get done in a day or a week. Employers also evaluate the results that you produce within a given amount of time. The way you prioritize and delegate tasks will be an example of your time management skills.

There are several online resources that help with time management. You can check out the dozens of books about time management too.

1. Accounting: Staff Accountant > Senior Accountant > Accounting Manager > Senior Accounting Manager > Firm Partner 

2. Administrative: Administrative Assistant > Executive Assistant > Office Manager > Event and Conference Planner > Event Manager > Director of Events 

3. Advertising: Advertising Sales Agent > Advertising Sales Manager > Account Manager  > Account Executive > VP of Advertising 

4. Construction: Constructive Services Associate > Site Manager > Construction Manager > Facilities Manager > Project Manager  

5. Customer Service: Associate > Team Lead > Manager > Senior Manager > Director > Chief Operating Officer 

6. Writer/Editor: Staff Writer or Journalist > Associate Editor > Editor > Senior Editor > Editor-in-Chief 

7. Education: Para-professional > Classroom Teacher > Curriculum Administrator > Assistant Principal > Principal > District Superintendent 

8. Engineering: Junior Engineer > Senior Engineer > Project Manager > Senior Project Manager > Engineering Consultant 

9. Human Resources: HR Coordinator > HR Manager > HR Director > VP of HR > Chief of HR   

10. Lawyer: Summer Associate > Junior Associate > Senior Associate > Partner > Managing Partner 

11. Marketing: Marketing Coordinator or Marketing Specialist > Marketing Manager > Director of Marketing > VP of Marketing > Chief Marketing Officer 

12. Nursing: CNA > IPN > ADN-RN > BSN-RN > MSN > DNP 

13. Restaurant: Host/Hostess, Prep Cook, Server > Service Manager > Assistant General Manager > General Manager 

14. Retail: Sales Associate > Team Lead > Assistant Manager > Store Manager > District Manager > Regional Manager  

15. Salesperson: Sales Rep > Territory Manager > District Manager > Regional Manager  

16. Alternative path: Sales Rep > Account Manager > Key Account Manager > Director of Business Development > VP of Sales or Client Success 

17. Technology: IT Help Desk > Help Desk Manager > Network, Cloud, or Systems Administrator > Network or Systems Engineer > Security and Compliance Director > Chief Technical Officer 

References:

https://www.betterup.com/blog/career-path.

We do not claim any of these information as ours. All credit goes to the rightful owners.