Career Path Planning

A career path can be defined as a series of jobs that lead you closer to your career goals and vision for life. Define your career path, explore your career potential, and begin charting a career path that aligns with your goals with these resources.

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[Featured image] A white man stares concernedly at his laptop while a woman with a baby sits in the background.

Rescind Offer: What to Do When Your Job Offer Is Withdrawn

While rare, there may be times when a company withdraws its offer of employment before you begin a new role. Learn more about rescinded offers and what you can do if it happens to you.

August 23, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A young person with glasses in a SpaceX career works on a circuit board.

SpaceX Careers: Working in the Commercial Space Industry

The commercial space industry is growing in significant ways. Learn more about in-demand roles at Elon Musk's private, California-based company SpaceX.

August 3, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Woman in an open office space smiles as she leans over a desk to share her new data findings with her colleague.

Career Advancement Guide: Growth Tips to Achieve Your Goals

Looking to advance your career? Use these tips, strategies, and resources to help you achieve your career goals.

July 22, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A white man stares concernedly at his laptop while a woman with a baby sits in the background.

Rescind Offer: What to Do When Your Job Offer Is Withdrawn

While rare, there may be times when a company withdraws its offer of employment before you begin a new role. Learn more about rescinded offers and what you can do if it happens to you.

August 23, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A young person with glasses in a SpaceX career works on a circuit board.

SpaceX Careers: Working in the Commercial Space Industry

The commercial space industry is growing in significant ways. Learn more about in-demand roles at Elon Musk's private, California-based company SpaceX.

August 3, 2022

Article

Explore career possibilities with these popular programs

Status: New AI skills

Google

Skills you'll gain: Network Security, Incident Response, Computer Security Incident Management, Hardening, Stakeholder Communications, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Security Management, Threat Management, Cybersecurity, Network Protocols, Cloud Security, Network Architecture, Event Monitoring, Cyber Risk, TCP/IP, Operating Systems, File Systems, Security Controls, Debugging, Python Programming

Build toward a degree

4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
50K reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Software Development Life Cycle, Unit Testing, ChatGPT, HTML and CSS, Development Environment, Web Design and Development, Jupyter, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Development, Data Ethics, Application Deployment, Web Applications, Automation, Interviewing Skills, CI/CD, Professional Networking

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4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
67K reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Status: AI skills

Microsoft

Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Power Platform, Excel Formulas, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Process Modeling, User Story, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, Data Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visio, Software Development Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Requirements Elicitation, Quality Management, Pivot Tables And Charts, Power BI, Project Management Life Cycle, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Business Analysis, Project Management

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Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
907 reviews

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[Featured image] An employee fulfills a long-term career goal by presenting a talk to their colleagues, standing in front of a whiteboard in an uncluttered meeting room while their coworkers listen around a conference table.

Setting and Achieving Long-Term Career Goals (+ Examples)

Long-term career goals are the things you’d like to achieve in your professional life in the future. Learn about long-term career goals and how to create and pursue your own goals.

July 14, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A professional businesswoman wearing headphones works on her computer on upskilling.

Upskilling: What It Means and How It Can Help Your Career

Through upskilling, you'll build on skills you already have and fortify your expertise.

July 14, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] Professional shaking hands with new coworkers.

Starting a New Job: 18 Tips for Early and Ongoing Success

Set yourself up for success in your new role with goals that focus on learning, visibility, and growth.

June 8, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A person in a dark shirt sits at a long brown table reviewing their resume as they think about changing their career.

Career Change at 30: Building on Your Skills

Sometimes a career that was once fulfilling and inspiring may no longer be the career you are interested in. Learn more about how to plan a career change in your 30s.

June 1, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Three women stand together in an office planning a project.

How to Change Careers at 50: Tips, Career Ideas, and More

While career transitions might seem more daunting now, successful career changes happen at every age and life stage. Learn how to explore a career change at 50.

May 19, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A man with short dark hair and a beard wearing a blue shirt sits at a desk looking over his resume.

Career Change at 40: Moving Into Your Next Stage in 2025

If you’re in your forties, you’ll likely be coming into your new career with a set of established skills. You can use your work and life experiences up until this point as guidance toward your next steps.

May 19, 2022

Article

[Featured Image]: A woman with long dark hair wearing glasses and a blue shirt has a pen up to her chin and she is thinking about her 30-60-90 day plan.

How to Write a 30-60-90 Day Plan (+ Template)

A 30-60-90 day plan can set you up for success in your new job. Find out how to write one for a smooth transition.

May 19, 2022

Article

[Featured Image]: A person in a grey sweater sits at their kitchen table and works on applications for entry-level office jobs.

10 High-Paying, Entry-level Office Jobs + How to Get One

Explore entry-level office jobs that offer salaries above the national average and discover the steps to getting your entry-level job.

May 12, 2022

Article

[Featured Image]: A woman wearing a blue blouse and glasses, with a pen to chin, thinking about her career path.

What Is a Career Path? How to Create Your Own

Define your career path, explore your career potential, and begin charting a career path that aligns with your passion and life goals.

April 28, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Woman in an open office space smiles as she leans over a desk to share her new data findings with her colleague.

Career Advancement Guide: Growth Tips to Achieve Your Goals

Looking to advance your career? Use these tips, strategies, and resources to help you achieve your career goals.

July 22, 2022

Article

[Featured image] An employee fulfills a long-term career goal by presenting a talk to their colleagues, standing in front of a whiteboard in an uncluttered meeting room while their coworkers listen around a conference table.

Setting and Achieving Long-Term Career Goals (+ Examples)

Long-term career goals are the things you’d like to achieve in your professional life in the future. Learn about long-term career goals and how to create and pursue your own goals.

July 14, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A professional businesswoman wearing headphones works on her computer on upskilling.

Upskilling: What It Means and How It Can Help Your Career

Through upskilling, you'll build on skills you already have and fortify your expertise.

July 14, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] Professional shaking hands with new coworkers.

Starting a New Job: 18 Tips for Early and Ongoing Success

Set yourself up for success in your new role with goals that focus on learning, visibility, and growth.

June 8, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A person in a dark shirt sits at a long brown table reviewing their resume as they think about changing their career.

Career Change at 30: Building on Your Skills

Sometimes a career that was once fulfilling and inspiring may no longer be the career you are interested in. Learn more about how to plan a career change in your 30s.

June 1, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Three women stand together in an office planning a project.

How to Change Careers at 50: Tips, Career Ideas, and More

While career transitions might seem more daunting now, successful career changes happen at every age and life stage. Learn how to explore a career change at 50.

May 19, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A man with short dark hair and a beard wearing a blue shirt sits at a desk looking over his resume.

Career Change at 40: Moving Into Your Next Stage in 2025

If you’re in your forties, you’ll likely be coming into your new career with a set of established skills. You can use your work and life experiences up until this point as guidance toward your next steps.

May 19, 2022

Article

[Featured Image]: A woman with long dark hair wearing glasses and a blue shirt has a pen up to her chin and she is thinking about her 30-60-90 day plan.

How to Write a 30-60-90 Day Plan (+ Template)

A 30-60-90 day plan can set you up for success in your new job. Find out how to write one for a smooth transition.

May 19, 2022

Article

[Featured Image]: A person in a grey sweater sits at their kitchen table and works on applications for entry-level office jobs.

10 High-Paying, Entry-level Office Jobs + How to Get One

Explore entry-level office jobs that offer salaries above the national average and discover the steps to getting your entry-level job.

May 12, 2022

Article

[Featured Image]: A woman wearing a blue blouse and glasses, with a pen to chin, thinking about her career path.

What Is a Career Path? How to Create Your Own

Define your career path, explore your career potential, and begin charting a career path that aligns with your passion and life goals.

April 28, 2022

Article

A career path can be defined as a series of jobs that lead you closer to your career goals and vision for life. Some people follow a linear path through one field, advancing into roles with more responsibilities and higher salaries. Others shift companies, industries, or roles more frequently, and accumulate experience in a variety of roles.

You might be wondering what you can do to steer your career in the direction you desire. Should you stick to a linear path and seek advancement in a single field, or should you take on diverse roles and explore multiple paths? 

Both approaches can lead to fulfillment when you clarify your vision for the future. A linear career path could mean gaining deeper understanding of a field and becoming a leader or specialist, while a multi-directional career path could mean accumulating diverse knowledge and being able to adapt quickly to an ever-changing professional landscape.

We have resources and articles for every step along your unique career path, including:

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)