![[Featured Image] A receptionist in the service industry smiles while talking to a client and providing excellent customer service over the phone.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3pK9or4cSALAxYUFAQwHGO/6ac0c516a5972fe32855a12930d4dfae/GettyImages-1442992114.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Guide to the Service Industry: 2024
Discover what the service industry is, the fields it contains, why it's important, and more.
November 1, 2024
Article
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.
![[Featured Image] Two students look at a microscope in a classroom while earning an undergrad degree for med school.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/70ptOTAdND0WyJmdoDngPX/7cb13901aad72ee0f06b93f77fc61d07/GettyImages-2148296574.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A data scientist, which is one job you can do with a math degree, writes on a white board.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4KDTFNjv7wXpmaSp3WvjlX/346ec64092613631a5e6bb09e26d78ec/GettyImages-1437209359.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Explore career possibilities with these popular programs
Status: [object Object]
Skills you'll gain: Network Security, Python Programming, Linux, Cloud Computing, Audit, Computer Programming, Computer Security Incident Management, Cryptography, Databases, Leadership and Management, Network Architecture, Risk Management, SQL
Skills you'll gain: Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Artificial Neural Networks, Cloud Computing, Computer Vision, Human Learning, IBM Cloud, Natural Language Processing, Algorithms, Applied Machine Learning, Machine Learning Software, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Cloud API, Cloud Applications, Computer Programming Tools, Human Computer Interaction, Application Development, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Critical Thinking, Software Engineering Tools, Software As A Service, User Experience Design, Communication, Software Engineering, Customer Analysis, Data Analysis, Programming Principles, Software Architecture, Agile Software Development, Front-End Web Development, Software Testing, System Programming, Web Development, Javascript, Data Science
Skills you'll gain: HTML and CSS, Javascript, Front-End Web Development, React (web framework), Web Development, User Experience, Algorithms, Computer Science, Web Design, Application Development, Computer Programming, Software Engineering, Web Development Tools, Collaboration, Communication, Data Structures, Human Computer Interaction, Interactive Design, Linux, Problem Solving, Product Design, Software Engineering Tools, Software Testing
![[Featured Image] After learning what is an externship, a young woman in safety glasses shadows an engineer in a white coat, as he shows her equipment in his workspace.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6K2ChZRELVtMSHUXTJDXyz/e32ec258172d34f775df605b9c86eefd/GettyImages-862721458.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A librarian shares a book with a young child after finding out what degree you need to be a librarian and earning the degree.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/tDyAnaQk3072pSo0GsTTe/d25ac9363fa98ce353b80ca03a973d8b/GettyImages-1285507348.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] An orthodontist, which is a low-stress job, high-fives a patient in the dental chair while his mom looks on.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/T4cAJ1pKxvyWmdTDNGLlm/fd27976bbad190b9c95d2d82140d60db/GettyImages-1436794320.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A woman sits at a desk looking at paperwork as she learns how to calculate net income.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6N2OYBwDtjvbhJiPUr0ZFA/a711188cc036de35037e5d4f1ab7025c/GettyImages-526917941.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A woman wearing glasses sits at her computer, filled with budgeting information, and manages her finances as she wonders what a 401k is and how she can get one.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2WoDjrD4JReYqQPwo1cx5p/d74611bf0f3a874f78c60864adaa7c13/GettyImages-1700658435.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A job searcher meets with a hiring manager in hopes of finding structural unemployment solutions to benefit them both.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/31i8Zza1hc9J3So8dcu8Lb/74c79c609d6d40b6f81225d485b71089/GettyImages-1268468963__1_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A woman in a bright pink blouse sits at her desk, writing in a notebook and adding up how many work hours in a year.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/69JbEbj5EPwYIc2rEOmm7s/96e050096adc76019693132884ccffdb/GettyImages-2148351922.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Text]: A group of diverse people collaborate, demonstrating a valuable skill needed for many sociology degree jobs.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/Bsecfc7ibN90ej57jabt9/b45f87dfe6d90753f75f0a159f90be3e/GettyImages-1181224216.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] An employee does remote work on her laptop from her kitchen at home.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2vxBrMg8JSLw3VepR8TJSp/7b06e9fe06ae78b05a382bd05cc1f074/GettyImages-1138999558.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
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 a variety of roles.
You might be wondering what you can do to steer your career in the direction you desire. 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 deeper understanding of a field and becoming a leader or specialist, while a multi-directional career path could mean accumulating diverse knowledge and being able to adapt quickly to an ever-changing professional landscape.
We have resources and articles for every step along your unique career path, including:
