What Is Career Pathing?

Career pathing is a process that involves creating a structured framework for employees to plan and navigate their career progression on a vertical, lateral, or cross-functional basis. Career pathing provides employees with a clear understanding of the various roles and opportunities available to them, allowing them to make informed decisions about their professional development based on their unique skill sets, interests, and personal goals. 

How does career pathing work? 

Career pathing involves identifying potential career options, assessing the skills and competencies required for each role, and developing a roadmap to help employees achieve career goals. 

HR plays a critical role in this process by:

• Providing information on job roles, required skills and competencies, and potential progression opportunities. 

• Facilitating career conversations between employees and their managers.

• Providing guidance and support in setting career goals and creating development plans.

• Providing resources such as training programs, mentoring opportunities, and access to learning platforms to help employees acquire the skills they need for their desired career paths.

Employees and their managers will also be actively involved in career pathing to ensure alignment between personal, professional, and organizational goals.

Why is career pathing important for employees?

Career pathing is important for employees because it helps them develop a clear roadmap for their professional growth, and ensures that path aligns with the opportunities available within the organization and their career goals. 

By identifying the skills and experiences required for advancement, employees can take proactive steps to acquire the competencies they need to prepare themselves for future opportunities. Career pathing can also foster a sense of direction and purpose and increase job satisfaction.

Why is career pathing important for organizations?

Career pathing helps organizations retain talent and boost engagement. When employees have a clear understanding of the growth opportunities available to them, they’re more likely to stay and invest in their long-term development. 

Career pathing also helps organizations identify high-potential employees and nurture their skills, ensuring a pipeline of both capable future leaders and employees who can move into critical and hard-to-fill roles. 

Lastly, career pathing enhances succession planning efforts by identifying and grooming internal candidates for key positions. 

What role does technology play in career pathing?

By leveraging people analytics and data-driven insights, organizations can identify patterns and trends in career progression, allowing HR and managers to make informed decisions. Technology can provide interactive journey maps that illustrate the likelihood of role transitions and the average time required to move into specific positions. It can also facilitate the identification of mentors who can guide employees through career transitions. Finally, technology can support upskilling and reskilling efforts by providing access to online learning platforms, personalized training recommendations, and opportunities for self-assessment and skill development. 

Read more on career pathing:    

• The What Ifs of Work Planning

• How to Develop Better Reskilling Programs and Employee Career Paths

• Cybersecurity Talent Shortage: Why HR Needs to Map Unconventional Career Paths