Jobs with big prospects

Some job roles offer more opportunities for progression than others. For high-fliers there are plenty of options that will help you climb the ladder fast. Take a quick tour...

Civil service jobs offer a great opportunity for career progression and there are vast numbers of different roles that will enable you to pursue you interests. With fast-stream programmes preparing graduates for positions with early responsibility, the civil service is a good choice for career progression. Typical starting salaries are £20,000–£25,000.

Become a manager

General management positions are available in pretty much every industry in the UK, from construction to logistics, leisure to retail. Many of the large employers offer management training schemes to help you get your foot in the door and once you've picked up the core skills they can be applied in any area of business.

Achieving chartered status in a professional area such as marketing, or a postgraduate qualification such as an MBA can further your career, putting salaries of £50,000 plus within reach after a few years. However, MBAs are best considered once you have some work experience under your belt.

Survey your prospects

Surveying offers another broad career option with plenty of opportunity to progress. Surveyors operate across many areas of the property industry, from commercial property sales to residential valuations. Graduates without a property-related degree accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have to take a postgraduate conversion course. Employers will often sponsor you through this so look out for positions that are open to ‘non-cognates’. Following this, the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) can be taken. This is assessment of your skills and knowledge at the end of a period of structured, on-the-job training (usually during the first two years of employment) and leads to becoming a chartered surveyor. Salaries of £30,000 after qualification are the norm.

Careers in the armed forces, local government and retail also provide opportunities for fast career progression.

Take a closer look

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