professional trajectory

USAGE SUMMARY

"professional trajectory" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person's career path or progress in their profession. For example, "John's professional trajectory has been impressive, making a steady climb up the corporate ladder at his company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the ensuing essays, Chee reflects on his professional trajectory.

The Washington Post

"Brother's Justice," his flailing, ultralow-budget directorial debut, will not accelerate his professional trajectory.

The New York Times

Most students are led to Stanford because they want to change their professional trajectory.

The Economist

His professional trajectory started in the days when supplies were overabundant.

The New York Times - Arts

Last spring, mechanical engineering major Kendal Burkins, '19, began rethinking his academic and professional trajectory.

Stanford University

"Usually if you're a journalist, you stay a journalist," she said, explaining her "bizarre" professional trajectory.

Princeton University

Independent scholars and practitioners may request to have this requirement waived based on their professional trajectory.

Stanford University

Podro brought to this thinking a particularly broad frame of reference that derived in part from his unusual professional trajectory.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

There was a small cast of actors with unorthodox professional trajectories and Next Big Thing bios, all working for union scale.

The New York Times - Style

Data on their demographics, position, and professional trajectories came from their curriculum vitae and NHS human resource records, while informal network data came from surveys, field visits, and interviews with them and their colleagues.

Harvard Business Review

The program places questions of practice, design, and fabrication and making at the center of the learning process, and seeks to develop students' sense of inquiry, responsibility, and creativity as they formulate their unique professional trajectories.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "professional trajectory" to describe the overall path and progression of someone's career, especially when highlighting significant changes or advancements.

Common error

While "professional trajectory" is widely understood, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "career path" or "job history" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "professional trajectory" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig shows it describes the path or progression of someone's career.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

56%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "professional trajectory" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone's career path. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news media and academic contexts, signifying a formal to neutral register. When writing, it's best to use "professional trajectory" in professional or academic settings, opting for simpler terms like "career path" in informal contexts. Alternative phrases include "professional route" and "career progression".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupational trajectory

Replaces "professional" with "occupational", broadening the scope to include any type of work or job.

professional route

Replaces "trajectory" with a simpler term for path, indicating a sequence of actions or steps taken to reach a specific goal.

professional track

Substitutes "trajectory" with a term implying a predefined or standard course of career advancement.

professional course

Uses "course" as a synonym for trajectory, suggesting a planned or chosen route of professional development.

professional pathway

Similar to "professional route", but suggests a more structured or established means of career progression.

professional journey

Emphasizes the experience and progression aspect of a career path, rather than just the direction.

professional direction

Highlights the general way in which a career is headed, rather than the specific steps taken.

professional history

Focuses on the past events and experiences that make up a career.

professional trend

Shifts focus to the overall pattern or direction of a career, rather than the specific path.

professional orientation

Focuses on the alignment of one's career with their skills, interests and values.

FAQs

How can I use "professional trajectory" in a sentence?

You can use "professional trajectory" to describe someone's career path or progress. For example, "Her professional trajectory led her from a small startup to a leadership role in a major corporation."

What's a simpler alternative to "professional trajectory"?

Alternatives include "career path", "job history", or "career progression", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "professional trajectory" suitable for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "professional trajectory" is more appropriate for formal and professional contexts. For casual conversations, consider using simpler terms such as "career path" or "job history".

How does "professional trajectory" differ from "career goal"?

"Professional trajectory" refers to the overall path or progression of a career, whereas "career goal" refers to a specific achievement or objective within that career.