career path
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career path
A person's development over the course of their life, especially in relation to education and professional career.
Im Bewerbungsgespräch fragte man ihn nach seinem bisherigen Werdegang.
In the job interview, he was asked about his career path so far.
The word is made up of 'werden' (to become) and 'der Gang' (course/path). So it literally describes the 'course of becoming'—that is, how a person or their career has developed.
Ihr beruflicher Werdegang ist sehr beeindruckend.
Her professional career path is very impressive.
'Werdegang' (career path) is a formal word that is mainly used in written contexts such as résumés, applications, official biographies, or in job interviews.
Bitte beschreiben Sie kurz Ihren bisherigen Werdegang.
Please briefly describe your career path so far.
Common adjectives combined with 'Werdegang' (career path) are 'beruflich' (professional), 'akademisch' (academic), and 'persönlich' (personal). Typical verbs are 'schildern' (to describe), 'beschreiben' (to describe), or 'nachzeichnen' (to trace).
Der Artikel zeichnet den akademischen Werdegang der Nobelpreisträgerin nach.
The article traces the Nobel Prize winner's academic career path.
development
'Entwicklung' and 'Werdegang' both have to do with change over a longer period of time. 'Entwicklung' can be used for people, things, companies, cities, or ideas. 'Werdegang' is used almost only for people, and especially for education, career, and résumé. When speaking generally about growth or change, 'Entwicklung' is more natural. When you mean a person's path through school, university, and work, 'Werdegang' is more precise.
Im Bewerbungsgespräch erzählte Sofia kurz von ihrem beruflichen Werdegang.
In the job interview, Sofia briefly talked about her professional career path.
Die Entwicklung des Kindes war in den letzten Monaten sehr positiv.
The child's development has been very positive in recent months.