Software development
- Start: Junior developer / support engineer
- Then: Software engineer
- Later: Senior or lead engineer
Skills that repeat
- One language in depth
- Version control
- Testing
- Reading other people's code
Pathways
Career Pathways
Common routes through a field: where people typically enter, what usually comes next, and the skills each step tends to ask for. These are possible routes drawn from how roles are commonly structured — not predictions, and not guaranteed outcomes.
Data & analytics
- Start: Data or reporting analyst
- Then: Analytics engineer / data scientist
- Later: Analytics lead
Skills that repeat
- SQL
- Spreadsheet modelling
- A visualisation tool
- Explaining findings simply
Design
- Start: Junior or product designer
- Then: Product designer
- Later: Senior or design lead
Skills that repeat
- Interface design tooling
- Prototyping
- Design systems
- Presenting rationale
Product
- Start: Associate product manager / analyst
- Then: Product manager
- Later: Senior product manager
Skills that repeat
- Prioritisation
- Working with engineering
- Discovery interviews
- Written specs
Marketing
- Start: Marketing executive / coordinator
- Then: Marketing manager
- Later: Head of marketing
Skills that repeat
- Copywriting
- Analytics
- Campaign planning
- Channel fundamentals
Sales
- Start: SDR / sales executive
- Then: Account executive
- Later: Account or sales manager
Skills that repeat
- Discovery questioning
- Pipeline discipline
- CRM hygiene
- Written follow-up
Customer support & success
- Start: Support agent
- Then: Customer success manager
- Later: Support or CS lead
Skills that repeat
- Clear written English
- Product depth
- Escalation judgement
- Account planning
Operations
- Start: Operations assistant / coordinator
- Then: Operations manager
- Later: Head of operations
Skills that repeat
- Process mapping
- Spreadsheets
- Supplier coordination
- Reporting
Finance & accounting
- Start: Finance assistant
- Then: Management accountant / analyst
- Later: Finance manager
Skills that repeat
- Bookkeeping fundamentals
- Reconciliation
- Financial reporting
- A professional qualification route
People & HR
- Start: HR administrator / recruiter
- Then: HR or talent partner
- Later: People manager
Skills that repeat
- Employment basics
- Interviewing
- HR systems
- Difficult conversations
IT & cybersecurity
- Start: IT support technician
- Then: Systems or security analyst
- Later: Security engineer
Skills that repeat
- Networking fundamentals
- Operating systems
- Ticketing discipline
- A recognised entry certificate
Project management
- Start: Project coordinator
- Then: Project manager
- Later: Programme manager
Skills that repeat
- Planning and tracking
- Stakeholder updates
- Risk logs
- A delivery methodology