HR Glossary  /  Career Path
Career Path4 min read
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What’s a Career Path?

Career navigation can feel like sailing uncharted waters. One term you’ll often hear in this journey is “career path.” But what does it mean? Understanding career paths is key to long-term career success and happiness. This article will break down the concept of career paths, explain why they matter, and how to create your own.

A career path (also known as a career pathway) is a series of positions or roles that an individual can move through as they progress in their professional life. It encompasses the various jobs, skills, and experiences that shape a person's career trajectory. Unlike a career ladder, which implies a straightforward climb to the top, a career path can be more flexible, allowing for lateral moves and changes in direction.

Components of a career path include:

  • Positions: The specific job titles or roles you hold throughout your career.
  • Skills: The competencies and abilities you develop along the way.
  • Experiences: The various tasks, projects, and responsibilities you take on that contribute to your professional growth.

Why Career Pathways Matter

Understanding and planning a career path can benefit both employees and employers.

Career Path Benefits for Employees

  1. Career Progression Clarity: A defined career path gives employees a clear roadmap so they know what steps to take to advance their career.
  2. Motivation: Knowing there are opportunities to move up can boost your motivation.
  3. Skill Development: By following a career pathway, you can develop the skills for higher level roles.

Career Path Benefits for Employers

  1. Employee Retention: Employees are more likely to stay with an organization with clear career progression opportunities.
  2. Talent Management: Having structured career paths helps to identify and develop talent within the organization.
  3. Succession Planning: Career paths enable succession planning by preparing employees for future leadership roles.

Linear Career Paths

In a linear career pathway, an individual moves through a series of increasingly senior roles within the same field. This is the traditional approach in professions such as medicine, law and academia.

Lateral Career Paths

Lateral career paths involve moving across different roles or departments rather than up a hierarchical ladder. This approach allows for skill diversification and is useful in industries like technology and marketing.

Dual Career Paths

Dual career paths offer opportunities for advancement in both technical and managerial tracks. For example, an engineer might be able to move up as a technical expert or transition into a management role.

  1. Self-Assessment: Know your strengths, interests, and career aspirations. Tools like personality tests and career assessments can be useful.
  2. Research and Exploration: Research potential career paths and the skills required for each. Informational interviews and job shadowing can be helpful.
  3. Goal Setting: Set short and long-term career goals. Make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
  4. Skill Development and Education: Identify the skills and qualifications required for your desired career path and pursue relevant training and education.
  5. Seeking Mentorship and Guidance: Find mentors who can offer advice, share experiences, and guide you through your career path.

Tools and Resources

Use career development workshops, online courses from Coursera and LinkedIn Learning and join industry-specific professional organizations for networking and career resources.

Developing a career path has its own set of challenges. Lack of clarity on the steps to move up in your career, limited opportunities within your business, and balancing personal career goals with organizational goals are some common challenges a manager will face.

How to Overcome These Challenges

Staying proactive in learning new skills and keeping up to date with industry trends can help overcome these challenges. Building a professional network to discover new opportunities and get support is also important. Being open to lateral moves or changes in direction if they align with your long-term goals can be beneficial.

How does a career path differ across industries?

Career paths can vary greatly across industries. For example, in healthcare, career paths are very structured, with clear steps for progression from medical school to residency to specialization. In sectors like technology, the paths are more fluid and varied, with opportunities to move laterally or into emerging roles.

How can a career pathway work for gig economy workers?

Gig economy workers can create a career path by focusing on skill development and building a diverse portfolio of experience. They can also seek long-term contracts or partnerships with companies for more stability.

What are the best practices for managing career path expectations?

Transparency is key. Clearly communicate the career paths available and what is required to get to them. Provide employees with regular feedback on their performance and progress and work with them to create personal development plans that align with their career goals.

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