start a career

USAGE SUMMARY

"start a career" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone just beginning to build a career in a particular field, for example: "After college, Mary started a career in accounting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's ideal to start a career with someone encouraging.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You can't start a career with a remake," says James Diener the very next day.

The New York Times - Magazine

I thought, "I should be in New York, looking to start a career.

The New York Times

To start a career in social care without job stability is going to look "pretty bleak".

The Guardian

That would tie Wee Willie Keeler for the most 200-hit seasons to start a career.

The New York Times

"This is a good time to start a career in energy," Enderton says.

The New York Times - Magazine

He moved to New York the following year to start a career in media research.

The New York Times

His wife has moved out to start a career of her own.

The New York Times

Matten is set to retire from the sport later this year and start a career as a fencing coach.

The New York Times

He then met and married Sharon Arden, who encouraged him to start a career as a solo artist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In any case, Sarkozy père intervened and forbade Sarkozy fils to start a career on the stage.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "start a career", ensure the context clearly indicates the beginning phase of professional life, differentiating it from career advancement or changes.

Common error

Avoid using "start a career" without specifying the industry or field. Be specific: instead of saying "He wants to start a career", say "He wants to start a career in software engineering."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start a career" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of professional activities. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes the initial stage of engaging in a particular profession. The examples from Ludwig show its usage across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start a career" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the beginning of one's professional life. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It appears predominantly in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Science" contexts. While "start a career" is a versatile phrase, it is best practice to specify the field of work for clarity. Alternatives like "begin a career" or "launch a career" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin a career

Replaces "start" with "begin", offering a synonymous expression.

launch a career

Substitutes "start" with "launch", implying a more proactive and impactful beginning.

embark on a career

Replaces "start" with "embark on", suggesting a journey or undertaking.

commence a career

Uses "commence" in place of "start", providing a more formal tone.

kick off a career

Employs "kick off" instead of "start", adding a sense of energy and informal initiation.

establish a career

Shifts focus to the act of establishing oneself professionally, rather than just beginning.

develop a career

Implies gradual growth and progression from the very beginning.

build a career

Highlights the construction and gradual development of professional life.

initiate a career

Offers a more formal alternative to "start", emphasizing the act of beginning.

pursue a career

Highlights the act of actively chasing a specific path.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "start a career"?

You can use alternatives like "begin a career", "launch a career", or "embark on a career" depending on the desired nuance.

How to use "start a career" in a sentence?

You can use "start a career" when referring to the beginning of someone's professional life in a particular field, for example: "After graduating, she decided to start a career in marketing."

Which is correct, "start a career" or "begin a career"?

Both "start a career" and "begin a career" are correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone of the sentence.

What's the difference between "start a career" and "pursue a career"?

"Start a career" refers to the initial act of beginning professional life, while "pursue a career" implies ongoing effort and active engagement in advancing within that field.