A career path is a long-term plan that includes specific steps or tasks that help an individual advance to a desirable occupation or new role. It is a series of jobs and experiences that lead an individual closer to their career goals and vision for life. Career paths can be created in two ways: an organizational career path or a personal career path. An organizational career path is created with a direct manager and is designed to climb a career ladder within a company. On the other hand, a personal career path is created by an individual based on a self-assessment of their skills, interests, hobbies, values, and passions. Career pathways are an integrated collection of programs and services intended to develop an individuals core academic, technical, and employability skills; provide them with continuous education, training; and place them in high-demand, high-opportunity jobs.

Career pathways are designed to support workers transitions from education into and through the workforce. They are adopted at the federal, state, and local levels in order to increase education, training, and learning opportunities for Americas current and emerging workforce. Career pathways are a series of articulated educational and training programs and services that enable students, often while they are working, to advance over time to successively higher levels of education and employment in a given industry or occupational sector.

Creating a career path involves defining career goals, exploring career potential, and charting a career path that aligns with an individuals passion and life goals. To create a career path, an individual can start by making a list of the skills they are good at. They can also write up a five-year career plan listing all skills, experiences, and job titles that must be met within desired time frames. Career pathing is often done by an employee during a performance review under the guidance of their manager or HR representative. To follow a determined career path, an employee must be willing to continually learn new skills, network with peers, and occasionally take a lateral (or backward) move in order to get ahead in the long run.

In summary, a career path is a long-term plan that includes specific steps or tasks that help an individual advance to a desirable occupation or new role. It can be created in two ways: an organizational career path or a personal career path. Career pathways are an integrated collection of programs and services intended to develop an individuals core academic, technical, and employability skills; provide them with continuous education, training; and place them in high-demand, high-opportunity jobs. Creating a career path involves defining career goals, exploring career potential, and charting a career path that aligns with an individuals passion and life goals.