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.
career
Karriere and Werdegang can both describe a person's professional development. Karriere often suggests success or advancement, while Werdegang presents the course so far in a neutral way. Use Werdegang for an objective overview and Karriere when the development seems particularly successful.
Sein Werdegang führte ihn nach der Ausbildung über mehrere Firmen.
His career path took him through several companies after his training.
Durch ihre Erfolge nahm ihre Karriere in kurzer Zeit einen starken Aufstieg.
Her career rose rapidly as a result of her successes.
