I always
thought of a career path as a linear format in which one makes their career
growth according to a set path taking guidance from a book, mentor or a class.
In reality
very few of us strive to follow this path. It may be a good guideline to follow
but typically there is an abstract line that runs in other directions that
doesn’t necessarily have to be vertical, but usually runs multidimensionally to shape one’s career.
Climbing the
corporate or business ladders aren’t the only ways to think about career
growth, even though it does involve most of the career path decisions.
For
some, a professional career is a destination. From the very start,
the goal is to achieve some level of proficiency or stature in our chosen field
of work. The destination can be a role, a company, a level of
achievement, or other specific and measurable goal.
For
others, a professional career is a journey. From the very start, the
goal is to experience work from a variety of perspectives in your field and
adjacent fields. The journey can be different companies or organizations
within a big company, job types, geographies, or other varied aspects of your
profession. Destination and journey are different ways to look at career
progression.
As
I mentioned earlier, we can start to map our path in horizontals and verticals.
What is your next step toward that position? What category does that new step
fall into? An educational achievement, experiential skill/knowledge, new
visibility/recognition, new position or new path? When you're moving up to the
next level in your career – for example moving from a manager to a director –
that is a vertical move. When you're moving from one company to another or
making a lateral move within your company, that is a horizontal path.
Work
your way, both horizontally and vertically.
Your
thoughts on this topic would be appreciated.
Deeshi Gandhi
Business Analyst
