Career pathing is a term used to describe a path taken by individuals during their careers and being able to map out their career trajectory, or career growth goals. There are several different paths that people can take when starting out in a career. Each path has its pros and cons, but ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which path best suits him or her.
Why is Career Pathing Important?
Career pathing is an essential part of any job search strategy. It helps you understand what jobs are available within your field, how much competition there is for each position, and where you should be looking for opportunities – whether it’s within your existing company or another company. When you’re looking for a new job, you’ll likely encounter different career paths. For example, some jobs require you to move from sales to management, while others may involve moving from technical support to project management.
Here are four reasons why career pathing is important:
- Build Skills and Experience: You’ll learn valuable skills along the way that can help you succeed in future roles. As you progress through various positions, you’ll build a strong foundation of skills that will serve you well throughout your career.
- Gain Knowledge About Different Industries: By taking on varied responsibilities, you’ll gain insight into different industries and acquire knowledge about the best practices in each field.
- Learn How to Manage Yourself: Managing yourself effectively is critical when you’re transitioning between jobs. By learning how to manage your time, prioritize tasks, and communicate effectively, you’ll be able to handle any situation professionally.
- Network With People Who Can Help You: Networking is essential to finding a new position. By connecting with colleagues, mentors, and leaders in other industries, you’ll find out what opportunities exist and connect with people who can help you advance your career.
What are Some Career Pathing Examples By Career Level?
1. Entry Level Jobs
Entry-level jobs are typically low-paying positions that require little education or training. These positions may also be temporary, meaning that employees are hired for a specific project or task and then let go after completion. Some entry-level jobs may require a minimum degree level depending on the industry.
- Pros: Low initial salary; Temporary employment; Flexible hours
- Cons: Limited opportunities; No benefits; May feel like a dead-end job
2. Mid-Level Jobs
Mid-level jobs usually involve higher salaries and more responsibility than entry-level positions. They may also provide greater flexibility in terms of scheduling and location.
- Pros: Higher initial salary; More responsibilities; Greater stability; Benefits
- Cons: Longer hours; Increased stress levels; Requires additional education/training
3. Senior Level Jobs
Senior-level jobs are typically high-paying positions that require advanced degrees and years of professional experience.
- Pros: High initial salary; Great benefits; Stability
- Cons: Long hours; Additional education/training required
4. Executive Positions
Executive positions are typically highly compensated roles that require extensive education and training. They are generally filled by individuals who have demonstrated leadership ability and strong interpersonal skills.
What Are Some Examples of Career Pathing by Industry?
You may have heard the term “career path” thrown around a lot lately. But what does it really mean? And what does it look like when applied to a specific job or industry?
In short, a career path is a series of jobs that lead to a particular position. For instance, if you wanted to become a doctor, you’d likely follow a medical career path. Or if you were interested in becoming a lawyer, you’d probably follow a legal career path. Some careers, however, aren’t so clear-cut. Additionally, when you’re first starting out in your career, you’ll likely start at an entry or associate level and work your way up. We’ll provide career pathing examples for each niche
Examples of Common Pathways in Different Careers
Medical Doctor (MD) Careers
Medical careers typically involve following a set path of training and education. Once you complete all the necessary requirements including completing medical school, passing the board exams, choosing a specialty, completing your residency, and passing any additional state and/or local board exams, you’ll be qualified to practice medicine. Common career paths for Medical Doctors and Physicians include:
- Medical Doctor
- Surgeon
- Medical School Instructor
- Hospital Administrator
- Medical Writer and Researcher
- Surgeon General
You’ll definitely need more experience to qualify for some of these jobs than others, but those are some common career paths for physicians.
Law Enforcement Career Path
Law enforcement careers usually require a bachelor’s degree. While no specific college major is required, you would benefit from studying or taking courses in, criminal justice, sociology, or psychology. You’ll also need to attend law enforcement academy training as well as other training requirements depending on where you live. Some law enforcement career paths include:
- Correctional Officer
- Uniformed Officer (they typically manage traffic, direct traffic and perform other administrative duties)
- Police Officer
- Detective
Marketing Career Path
A career in marketing is one of the wide-ranging career paths because there are so many different kinds of marketing. From digital marketing to content marketing, there are so many options and fields within marketing to choose from. Some career paths may include:
- Social Media Marketing
- Growth Marketing Manager
- PPC Manager
- Email Marketing Manager
- SEO Manager
- Advertising Manager
The growth of a marketing career will vary but they typically include the following paths:
- Marketing Coordinator
- Marketing Manager
- Senior Manager
- Director of Marketing
- VP of Marketing
- SVP of Marketing
- EVP of Marketing
- Chief Marketing Officer
Engineering Career Path
Engineering careers often require a bachelor’s degree in engineering, followed by graduate school and/or professional certifications. Engineers design everything from bridges to airplanes.
Accounting Career Path
Accounting careers often require a bachelor’s degree in accounting, followed by graduate school, and/or professional certifications. Accountants manage financial information for businesses.
Education Career Path
Education careers often require a bachelor’s degree in education, followed by graduate school (if you want to move into an administrative role) or professional certifications. The most obvious career in education is teaching. Teachers teach children in public schools, private schools, community college, 4-Year College or University, and homeschooling environments. Some teaching careers can include:
- Teacher’s Aide
- Substitute Teacher
- Elementary Teacher
- Middle School Teacher
- High School Teacher
- Instructional Design
- Assistant Principal
- Principal
- Superintendent
Not all education careers are spent working in a classroom or school. Some teachers may change jobs after spending years in the classroom for a variety of reasons. Teachers are finding a new career path in the field of education technology or ed-tech for short. Education technology (ed-tech) companies are companies that specialize in designing educational products, tools, and services for teachers, students, and learners of all ages in a wide variety of subjects and areas.
How Do You Create a Career Path?
In order to build a successful career, you must first identify your goals. What do you want out of life? Do you want to make money? Are you looking for something different? How much freedom do you want to have? What kind of lifestyle do you want to lead? Once you answer these questions, you can begin creating a career path plan to achieve your desired goals.
Here’s a simple four step process to follow when thinking about developing your career path:
1. Identify Your Goals
Before you start planning your career, you need to figure out exactly what you want out of life. Ask yourself some tough questions like: “What am I passionate about?” “What do I enjoy doing?” “Where do I want to go in my career?” “Do I want to travel?” “Is there anything else I want to accomplish?” Sometimes career counseling can help you in identifying your goals.
2. Determine Your Career Path
Once you have identified your goals, you can decide on a career path that aligns with those goals. For instance, if you want to become a doctor, you may choose to study medicine. Or, if you want to teach others, you may opt to pursue a teaching certification. Whatever your goal, you should think about what type of education you need to reach your end result.
3. Create a Plan
Now that you have identified your goals and chosen a career path, you can start making plans to reach those goals. Think about what you need to learn in order to succeed in your field. Is there a particular subject area you want to focus on? Will you need additional training? Where will you find the information you need?
4. Set Realistic Expectations and Goals
It’s very common for people to set unrealistic expectations and goals for themselves. Don’t fall victim to this trap! Instead, set realistic expectations and goals for yourself. Know what you’re capable of achieving and don’t expect too much.
5. Start Small
Don’t try to tackle everything all at once. Instead, start small and work your way up. For example, if you want to open your own restaurant, start by learning how to cook. Learn basic cooking techniques and recipes so you can eventually expand your repertoire.
6. Be Patient
You won’t achieve your dreams overnight. However, if you stick to your plan and stay focused, you will eventually reach your goals.
7. Stay Positive
Remember that nothing worth having comes easy. When things seem difficult, remind yourself that every step forward brings you closer to reaching your ultimate destination.
8. Follow Up
Finally, remember to follow up on your progress. Write down your accomplishments and celebrate your successes along the way.
Ready to Explore Your Career Options?
Check out our career guide. If you’re looking for a degree or certificate program, check out our list of schools.
