Redefining Career Progression: Beyond the Ladder - Park X Alt Collective
Guest contributor this month is the wonderful Gemma Marshall - careers and recruitment expert and Director at Park in Jersey. Gemma shares her wisdom on redefining career progression as well as some powerful reflective questions to empower you on your career journey.
We often think about career progression as climbing a ladder, one promotion, one title, one achievement after another. But the truth is, success doesn’t always follow a straight path.
Sometimes it moves sideways, sometimes it pauses and sometimes it looks completely different than what we first ever imagined.
For many women and really, for anyone balancing work and life, progression can feel complicated.
There’s the constant juggling act of priorities, the pressure to have everything figured out and the quiet comparisons to where others seem to be. Yet when we strip it all back, what really matters is whether the path we’re on feels right for us.
Making Progress Your Own
Progress doesn’t always mean climbing higher or taking on more. Sometimes it’s about:
Learning something new- stepping into unfamiliar territory that challenges and excites you.
Realigning with your values- choosing work or environments that reflect what truly matters to you.
Building quiet confidence- speaking up, showing up and trusting that you have something valuable to offer, even when you’re unsure.
Setting boundaries- recognising when “no” is the most powerful thing you can say.
Having spent many years as a Recruiter here in Jersey, I’ve had countless conversations with people about what success means to them. Every career journey is unique. For one person, a sideways move can open doors to growth; for another, taking a pause provides clarity and focus. All are ok!
My job isn’t just about matching people to roles; it’s about helping them reflect on their values, explore their options and make decisions that enhance their careers in a way that feels right for them.
Many of us are so used to saying yes- to opportunities, to people, to expectations, that we forget to ask if it’s really what we want. Progression isn’t about pleasing everyone else; it’s about growing in a direction that feels true to you.
Change Is Part of Growth
Adapting is not a sign of weakness; it’s part of growth. Taking a step sideways, slowing down, or even pausing to breathe can be just as important as any promotion. Sometimes the most meaningful shifts happen quietly. In confidence, mindset, or clarity.
Success doesn’t have to mean the next rung on the ladder. It can mean finding balance, rediscovering purpose, or simply feeling more at peace with where you are.
Are Your Values Showing Up for You?
Here’s a question worth asking yourself:
Are you really taking time to think about who you are and what your values are?
Are they showing up for you? At home, in the workplace? In the way you lead, in how you spend your time? And if not, why not?
Life moves fast, and it’s easy to lose sight of what matters. But small steps can make a big difference.
Having honest conversations, setting clearer boundaries, saying yes (or no) with intention, or simply making space for the things that truly matter.
“Our values are quiet guides that help us navigate change. When they’re present, we feel more grounded, confident, and fulfilled, even when things are uncertain.”
Defining Success on Your Terms
Ultimately, career progression is deeply personal. It’s about understanding what success truly means to you, not just at work, but across all parts of your life.
Confidence grows with every choice you make that aligns with who you are and what you value.
There’s no single right path. Progress might be a new challenge, a pause to regroup, or the decision to redefine what fulfilment looks like altogether. What matters most is that it feels authentic.
So, as you think about your next steps, ask yourself:
Am I living in line with what I believe in?
Are my values showing up for me?
What small steps can I take today to make sure they are?
Because real success isn’t about the ladder. It’s about moving forward in a way that feels right for you. Embracing your own pace, your choices and your definition of achievement. And sometimes, the smallest steps lead to the most meaningful progress.
- Gemma Marshall, Careers & Recruitment Expert
Park are leaders in recruitment in Jersey. They have been helping shape careers in the island for over 45 years by placing professional candidates in permanent, temporary and contract positions at all levels. With their help, getting your career in shape is a walk in the park.
Visit www.park.je to check out their services, browse jobs and get in touch with their wonderful team to discuss your career.
Proud sponsors of our Bold Moves group coaching programme, empowering women with the skills to build confidence, gain clarity and thrive in their careers and businesses.