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.

Coursera logo C cutout
[Featured Image] A young, dark-haired professional meets with a job coach to discuss a possible career change.

What Is a Job Coach? And Who Might Hire One

Job coaches support people with disabilities as they get ready to enter the workforce, working with them to secure employment, learn job tasks, and adjust to their new roles. Learn more about how to start a career as a job coach.

March 31, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A scientist works toward his career goals while writing out formulas on a glass panel.

Career Goals: What They Are, Examples, and How to Create Them

Use these career goal examples to reflect on what you'd like to accomplish in your career.

March 28, 2022

Article

[Featured image] An employee rejoices, smiling and leaning toward the camera after completing one of their long-term career goals.

What Are Your Career Goals? Tips for Setting Your Goals

Long-term and short-term career goals can help you stay on track as you work toward your ultimate aspirations.

March 28, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A young, dark-haired professional meets with a job coach to discuss a possible career change.

What Is a Job Coach? And Who Might Hire One

Job coaches support people with disabilities as they get ready to enter the workforce, working with them to secure employment, learn job tasks, and adjust to their new roles. Learn more about how to start a career as a job coach.

March 31, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A scientist works toward his career goals while writing out formulas on a glass panel.

Career Goals: What They Are, Examples, and How to Create Them

Use these career goal examples to reflect on what you'd like to accomplish in your career.

March 28, 2022

Article

Explore career possibilities with these popular programs

Google

Skills you'll gain: Vibe coding, Prompt Patterns, AI powered creativity, Brainstorming, Planning, AI literacy, Visual Storytelling, Responsible AI, Prompt Engineering Tools, Generative AI, Data Wrangling, Data Analysis, Content Creation, Artificial Intelligence, Presentations, Business Communication, Data Visualization, Research, Project Management, Machine Learning

4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.8K reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Status: Free Trial

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Web Scraping, File I/O, Python Programming, Jupyter, Data Structures, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, JSON, Computer Programming, Restful API, NumPy, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Application Programming Interface (API), Automation, Data Analysis

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
44K reviews

Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Status: Free Trial

Meta

Skills you'll gain: Drive Engagement, Discussion Facilitation, Content Performance Analysis, Social Media Content, Conflict Management, Content Creation, Social Media Analytics, Driving engagement, Content Marketing, Mediation, Content Strategy, Diversity Awareness, Content Optimization, Responsible AI, AI Personalization, Social Media Management, Content Management, Data Analysis, Incident Management, Data Literacy

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

[Featured Image] A person is sitting at a desk pondering into the distance while holding a pen to their mouth.

How to Create a Goal-Oriented Career Development Plan (Template + Tips)

With a career development plan, you can organize your career goals and identify your individual pathway toward success. Explore tips for creating your professional development plan and resources that can support you on your path.

March 25, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] Three people are in business casual clothing. Two coworkers are looking at a blackboard with notes while one person faces forward and smiles.

What Are Professional Development Goals? 10 Examples + How to Set Them

Professional development goals can help you achieve your short- and long-term objectives in your career.

March 25, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Three young professionals consult about recession proof jobs in the stairwell of a bright, glass office building.

10 Recession-Proof Job Fields for All Skill Levels

Though not completely recession-proof, these jobs tend to be in demand across economic shifts. Explore recession-proof jobs in industries like health care, public safety, law, and more.

March 18, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A man and a woman are placing post-it notes on a whiteboard.

14 High-Demand Jobs in 2026

Learn which jobs are estimated to exceed the average growth rate in the next decade.

March 16, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A possible future coworker discusses his resume with a hiring manager.

Reasons for Leaving a Job and How to Talk About Them in an Interview

Framing your reasons for leaving a job around growth can add confidence and positivity to conversations about career changes. Discover how to respond to this common interview question about your reason for leaving a job.

March 15, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A person is sitting at their desk using a desktop to research climate change jobs.

5 Climate Change Jobs

If you're concerned about climate change and what it's doing to the planet, you may consider a related career, like an environmental engineer. Discover five climate change jobs and learn about job growth, top skills, and certifications.

March 11, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A person in a blue button-up is sitting down in a conference room holding pieces of paper.

How to Write a Cover Letter When You’re Changing Careers (Sample + Tips)

As a career changer, you need to help recruiters understand why you’re moving away from your former line of work and what you want to achieve in your new career path.

March 9, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A Woman sits at her desk using a laptop.

When to Quit Your Job: How to Know It's Time

The choice to stay in a job or pursue something new can be an inspiring moment for self-discovery and growth. These tips may help make that decision a little simpler with five signs that you’re ready for a new opportunity and what to do next.

March 8, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A person researches career counseling on a desktop computer.

What Is Career Counseling? And How to Know When You Need It

Gain an understanding of how career counseling can benefit your career, and take steps to decide if career counseling is right for you.

February 25, 2022

Article

[Featured image] An employee rejoices, smiling and leaning toward the camera after completing one of their long-term career goals.

What Are Your Career Goals? Tips for Setting Your Goals

Long-term and short-term career goals can help you stay on track as you work toward your ultimate aspirations.

March 28, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A person is sitting at a desk pondering into the distance while holding a pen to their mouth.

How to Create a Goal-Oriented Career Development Plan (Template + Tips)

With a career development plan, you can organize your career goals and identify your individual pathway toward success. Explore tips for creating your professional development plan and resources that can support you on your path.

March 25, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] Three people are in business casual clothing. Two coworkers are looking at a blackboard with notes while one person faces forward and smiles.

What Are Professional Development Goals? 10 Examples + How to Set Them

Professional development goals can help you achieve your short- and long-term objectives in your career.

March 25, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Three young professionals consult about recession proof jobs in the stairwell of a bright, glass office building.

10 Recession-Proof Job Fields for All Skill Levels

Though not completely recession-proof, these jobs tend to be in demand across economic shifts. Explore recession-proof jobs in industries like health care, public safety, law, and more.

March 18, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A man and a woman are placing post-it notes on a whiteboard.

14 High-Demand Jobs in 2026

Learn which jobs are estimated to exceed the average growth rate in the next decade.

March 16, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A possible future coworker discusses his resume with a hiring manager.

Reasons for Leaving a Job and How to Talk About Them in an Interview

Framing your reasons for leaving a job around growth can add confidence and positivity to conversations about career changes. Discover how to respond to this common interview question about your reason for leaving a job.

March 15, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A person is sitting at their desk using a desktop to research climate change jobs.

5 Climate Change Jobs

If you're concerned about climate change and what it's doing to the planet, you may consider a related career, like an environmental engineer. Discover five climate change jobs and learn about job growth, top skills, and certifications.

March 11, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A person in a blue button-up is sitting down in a conference room holding pieces of paper.

How to Write a Cover Letter When You’re Changing Careers (Sample + Tips)

As a career changer, you need to help recruiters understand why you’re moving away from your former line of work and what you want to achieve in your new career path.

March 9, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A Woman sits at her desk using a laptop.

When to Quit Your Job: How to Know It's Time

The choice to stay in a job or pursue something new can be an inspiring moment for self-discovery and growth. These tips may help make that decision a little simpler with five signs that you’re ready for a new opportunity and what to do next.

March 8, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A person researches career counseling on a desktop computer.

What Is Career Counseling? And How to Know When You Need It

Gain an understanding of how career counseling can benefit your career, and take steps to decide if career counseling is right for you.

February 25, 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 various roles.

You might wonder what you can do to steer your career in your desired direction. 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 a deeper understanding of a field and becoming a leader or specialist. In contrast, a multi-directional career path could mean accumulating diverse knowledge and adapting quickly to an ever-changing professional landscape.

Ready to start learning? Explore our catalog of career development and professional development courses for beginners and experienced professionals.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)