Career Path

A career path is the progression of jobs and experiences that an individual follows throughout their professional life. It includes the various roles, skills, and milestones that help them advance toward their career goals. Career paths can be linear (moving up within the same field) or nonlinear (transitioning across different industries or roles). Employees can shape their career path through education, skill development, networking, and gaining relevant experience.

What are the 4 types of career paths?

The 4 main types of career paths are:

1. Vertical Career Path – Climbing up the ladder with promotions and higher responsibilities (e.g., Executive to Manager to Director).
2. Horizontal Career Path – Moving across roles or departments to build diverse skills (e.g., Marketing to Product Management).
3. Dual Career Path – Offering growth in both technical and managerial tracks, letting professionals choose leadership or expertise (e.g., Engineer vs. Engineering Manager).
4. Portfolio Career Path – Building a career through freelancing, part-time roles, or multiple gigs across different industries or skills.

Each path supports different goals—growth, flexibility, or specialization.