Professional Development & Advancement Opportunities

CORE CONTENT | 1.8 min read

If you’d prefer to progress your career while staying at the same company, it may be beneficial to understand upfront how your company approaches advancement and promotions.

Promoting Internally vs Hiring Externally

Say your direct supervisor resigns. You two worked closely, and it makes sense that you step up to fill that role. Even if this is true, there are several cases where you may be passed over for that promotion at no fault of your own. For instance, though most aren’t federally required to do so, many companies have a policy of posting all job listings publicly, even if there is a viable internal candidate available to promote. This may introduce other qualified candidates. Alternatively, higher-ups, or the supervisor themselves, may already have someone else in mind to take that role over.

It could also be a result of your current role within the company. There may be a very clear path for an executive or upper managerial level employee to be promoted into the C-suite in a number of years. However, that same option may not be in the cards for an entry-level intern.

Lateral and Title-only Promotions

Sometimes role changes presented as “advancement opportunities” don’t come with the functional or monetary progression one would expect from a traditional promotion. A lateral move (or lateral promotion) is a role change where the employee stays at the same level of authority and responsibility with little or no accompanying pay raise. Similarly, title-only promotions are often used to recognize an employee's contributions or potential with a new title and more responsibility but also do not include the financial rewards or improved status/influence typically associated with a promotion. These changes are not necessarily negative and can be preferable in some cases, so long as you understand the dynamic and cost-benefit relationship of the shift.

Professional Development

It is important to note that just because a company may not offer a clear path for internal advancement does not mean that the role can’t help you progress in your greater career. Professional development, which often takes the form of experience and transferable skills, is an important part of career growth. Many people’s career paths are not linear, but that doesn’t mean their career is not progressing. If through this process, you’re engaging with new technologies or developing a new set of skills, that will put you in a better position to get those desirable positions (even if those positions are at a different company).

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE | 0.2 min read

ACTUAL CASE STUDY

The 1974 Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) was put in place to prevent the employment discrimination of veterans by federal contractors and subcontractors. Part of this law requires these employers to provide a list of their job openings to the state.

KEY TAKEAWAYS | 0.3 min read

• Knowing how a company approaches promotions can help you properly understand how a job fits into your career plans.
• Some role changes, such as lateral moves and title-only promotions, may come with new skills or responsibilities but often do not come with pay raises or elevated influence.
• Professional development can provide you with the skills to get jobs and opportunities that progress your career.

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