Career paths
79 curated career paths across 8 industries: the certifications that fit each phase, from first role to expert. The security tracks are also drawn on the cybersecurity certification roadmap.
Cybersecurity
- AI Security & GovernanceSecure, test and govern AI and agentic systems: LLM threats, AI red teaming, AI risk and compliance.
- AI-Driven Security OperationsUse AI and ML to detect, investigate and respond faster: security copilots, AI-powered SIEM/XDR, automation and applied data science.
- Application SecurityBuild and test secure software across the development lifecycle.
- Cloud SecuritySecure workloads, identities and data in AWS, Azure, GCP and Kubernetes.
- Cyber Threat Intelligence AnalystCollect, analyze and report adversary intelligence: OSINT, ATT&CK mapping and intelligence-driven detection.
- DevSecOps EngineerBuild security into CI/CD, infrastructure as code, containers and the software supply chain: SAST/SCA, secrets, policy as code, signing and Kubernetes hardening.
- Digital Forensics & Incident ResponseInvestigate breaches, recover evidence and lead response to major incidents.
- Exploit Development & Reverse EngineeringReverse binaries, write exploits and research vulnerabilities at the lowest level.
- GRC / Risk & ComplianceRun governance programs, manage risk and keep the organization compliant.
- ICS / OT SecuritySecure industrial control systems, SCADA and IoT in critical infrastructure.
- IT / Security AuditAssess control effectiveness and provide assurance to boards and regulators.
- Identity & Access ManagementOwn identity lifecycle, SSO, privileged access and zero-trust access controls.
- Network Security EngineerBuild and defend firewalls, VPNs and segmented enterprise networks.
- Penetration Tester / Red TeamFind and exploit weaknesses in networks, applications and people before attackers do.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionProtect personal data and operationalise privacy regulations like GDPR.
- Quantum-Safe Security (PQC)Prepare for post-quantum cryptography: crypto-agility, quantum risk and PQC migration. An emerging field; dedicated certifications are still new.
- SOC Analyst / Blue TeamDetect, triage and respond to threats in a security operations center.
- Secure Systems AdministrationHarden and operate Linux, Windows and cloud infrastructure securely.
- Security ArchitectDesign secure enterprise and cloud architectures that hold up under attack.
- Security Leadership / CISOLead security strategy, budget, people and board-level risk conversations.
Cloud & Infrastructure
- Azure Administrator → ArchitectAdminister, network and then architect Microsoft Azure environments.
- Cloud Automation / IaC EngineerAutomate infrastructure across clouds with IaC, secrets and CI/CD.
- Cloud Solutions Architect (AWS)From cloud fundamentals to designing and automating production AWS estates.
- Data Center EngineerFacilities, cabling and fabric networking for modern data centers.
- Google Cloud EngineerBuild, network and run reliable workloads on Google Cloud.
- Microsoft 365 / Modern Workplace AdministratorAdminister Microsoft 365 tenants, Intune-managed endpoints, identity, Copilot and agents, and information protection.
- Network EngineerEnterprise routing, switching and wireless from technician to expert.
- Platform / Kubernetes EngineerOperate Kubernetes and OpenShift and build internal developer platforms.
- Virtualization & Hybrid InfrastructureRun private-cloud platforms on VMware, Nutanix, OpenShift Virtualization and Linux.
Data, AI & Software
- Data / BI AnalystBuild analyst credibility with vendor-neutral foundations, then master a BI stack and advanced analytics.
- Data EngineerFrom SQL and cloud data fundamentals to lakehouse, streaming and professional-level cloud data engineering.
- Database AdministratorInstall, tune, secure, back up and migrate relational and NoSQL databases on-premises and in the cloud.
- DevOps EngineerVersion control and containers first, then CI/CD, Kubernetes and professional cloud DevOps.
- Generative AI DeveloperBuild LLM, RAG and agentic applications, then prove professional depth and secure-AI awareness.
- ML / AI EngineerProgress from AI literacy and Python to production ML engineering and MLOps on major platforms.
- QA / Test EngineerISTQB foundation and agile testing, test automation, then advanced and expert test leadership.
- Salesforce ProfessionalAdminister and build on Salesforce, add AI/agent skills, then aim for architect credentials (ServiceNow has its own track).
- ServiceNow Administrator & DeveloperAdminister, build and implement on the ServiceNow platform: ITSM, custom applications and integrations.
- Software DeveloperLanguage fundamentals, cloud developer certifications, then secure and cloud-native development mastery.
Finance & Accounting
- AML / Financial Crime CompliancePrevent money laundering, sanctions breaches and fraud: KYC and due diligence, transaction monitoring, investigations and regulatory reporting.
- Accountant → Controller → CFOTechnician entry routes, management accounting, then a chartered/CPA licence and CGMA.
- ESG / Sustainable Finance AnalystESG investing basics, sustainability accounting and climate risk, then the CFA charter.
- Financial / Investment AnalystFrom securities basics to the CFA charter and alternatives specialism.
- Financial Risk ManagerRisk and regulation foundations, compliance/AML, then FRM and AI/climate risk.
- Internal / External AuditorInternal audit, fraud examination and statutory audit licences through to forensic specialism.
- Tax ProfessionalTechnician tax papers, IRS enrolment and international tax, then CPA/CTA.
- Treasury & FP&ATreasury fundamentals and modelling, then CTP/FPAC and the ACT diplomas.
- Wealth Manager / Financial PlannerUS licences and UK diplomas, the CFP mark, then private-wealth specialism.
HR & Learning
- Change ManagerPeople-side change management from foundation to recognised change leadership.
- Compensation & BenefitsPayroll and reward fundamentals through WorldatWork and CEBS to executive and senior rewards leadership.
- Global & International HRHR credentials recognised outside the US: HRCI international, CIPD, CPHR/HRPA (Canada) and AHRI (Australia).
- HR Generalist → HRBP → HR DirectorFrom HR coordinator to strategic HR leader using HRCI, SHRM or CIPD ladders.
- Learning & DevelopmentFrom L&D coordinator to head of learning, with coaching and impact measurement.
- People AnalyticsHR fundamentals plus BI skills, people analytics credentials and impact measurement.
- Talent AcquisitionRecruiter fundamentals, sourcing and diversity recruiting through to TA leadership.
Healthcare IT & Health Informatics
- Clinical / Health Informatics SpecialistEHR analyst to informatics lead: HIMSS foundations, HL7/FHIR interoperability, EHR platforms and informatics certification.
- Health Data AnalystHealthcare analytics: clinical/claims data, quality measurement, FHIR data access and BI tooling.
- Health Information ManagerHIM technician to HIM director: records governance, privacy, data quality and department leadership.
- Healthcare IT LeaderHealth-IT manager to CIO/CDO: delivery, service management, governance and digital-transformation strategy.
- Healthcare Privacy & ComplianceHIPAA privacy/security and healthcare compliance: from analyst to privacy officer and chief compliance officer.
- Medical CoderFrom entry-level coder to inpatient/outpatient specialist, auditor and coding compliance lead.
- Revenue Cycle SpecialistPatient access and billing to revenue-integrity and practice-management leadership.
IT Service, Project & Business
- Business AnalystIIBA and BCS business analysis routes, with process modelling and agile analysis.
- Business Continuity & Resilience ManagerPlan and test business continuity, disaster recovery, crisis management and operational resilience (ISO 22301, DORA).
- Enterprise ArchitectTOGAF and ArchiMate foundations through governance and experience-based architect certification.
- Enterprise Risk ManagerRun the enterprise risk framework (ISO 31000 / COSO): risk appetite, registers, reporting and assurance.
- IT Service ManagerITIL-based service management from Foundation to ITIL Master, with ISO/IEC 20000 and COBIT.
- IT Support to Service Desk LeadFrom help-desk technician to team lead, service desk manager and support director.
- Product Owner / Product ManagerProduct ownership from backlog basics to portfolio-level product strategy.
- Programme, Portfolio & PMO ManagerRun programmes, portfolios and PMOs above single projects: benefits, governance, prioritisation and portfolio balance.
- Project ManagerFrom project coordinator to senior project professional across PMI, PRINCE2, IPMA and APM schemes.
- Quality & Lean Six SigmaQuality improvement and Lean Six Sigma belts up to Master Black Belt and quality leadership.
- Scrum Master / Agile CoachScrum Master foundations through scaled-agile and enterprise coaching.
Supply Chain & Operations
- Global Trade & ComplianceTrade operations to licensed customs broker and global trade-compliance lead.
- Logistics ManagerWarehouse/transport supervisor to logistics director, including forwarding and air cargo.
- Operations ExcellenceContinuous-improvement practitioner to operational-excellence leader using Lean and Six Sigma.
- Procurement → CPOBuyer to Chief Procurement Officer via the CIPS ladder (global) or ISM / UPPCC (Americas).
- Supply Chain LeaderEnd-to-end SCM from analyst to VP / Chief Supply Chain Officer.
- Supply Chain PlannerPlanner to S&OP / supply-chain planning lead: inventory, MRP/DDMRP, integrated planning and transformation.