As the new year approaches, it’s natural to start reflecting on what’s next for your career. If advancing in the field of customer education (CE) is on your list of 2025 goals, you’re not alone. The journey to growth in CE can be exciting, challenging, and full of opportunities—but knowing where to focus can make all the difference.
In our most recent Roundtable—a monthly, dynamic discussion amongst peers around a specific topic—we brought together seasoned experts Daniel Quick, Courtney Sembler, Alessandra Marinetti, and Anders Reve to share their insights on what it takes to advance your career in customer education. Their advice is practical, insightful, and sure to inspire your next steps. Here’s what we learned:
Climbing the Ladder to a Promotion
Earning a promotion takes more than meeting the expectations of your current role. It’s about showing initiative, aligning your efforts with business goals, and demonstrating your readiness to take on more responsibility. Here’s how to take that next step:
Growth Isn’t Always Linear
When we think of “climbing the ladder,” we often picture a direct path upward. But as Alessandra and Daniel pointed out, career growth is rarely linear. Sometimes, it means taking lateral moves, exploring new skill sets, or waiting for the right opportunity to arise.
Even if you’re prepared for the next thing, your organization might not have an immediate need for the role you’re eyeing. That’s where patience, coupled with regular career conversations with your manager, becomes essential. Growth isn’t just about timing—it’s also about positioning yourself as the obvious choice when the right opportunity is present.
Start Career Conversations Early
When should you start talking about your ambitions? Not on day one, of course, but waiting too long can mean missed opportunities. Sharing your long-term goals with your manager allows them to align you with relevant projects and keep you in mind for upcoming roles. As Alessandra noted, transparency empowers your manager to be your advocate. If they don’t know where you want to go, how can they help you get there?
Do the Job Before You Get the Job
Taking initiative is step one in trying to get that next title. Daniel advises aspiring leaders to do this by asking questions like:
- “How can I help?”
- “How can I collaborate with you?”
- “How can I enhance what you’re doing with my skills?”
By volunteering for stretch assignments or taking on responsibilities that align with your desired role, you not only gain valuable experience but also send a clear message: you’re ready for more. Leaders notice those who consistently step up and deliver.
Think Like a Business Owner
To truly make an impact, shift your perspective. Stop thinking solely about tasks and output and start focusing on the bigger picture. How does your work contribute to organizational growth? What problems can you solve to help the business thrive?
Alessandra advises using a career rubric or competency framework to identify the skills and behaviors you need to reach the next level. (If you’ve never seen a competency framework before, you can use this one for reference.) Think of it as a blueprint to bridge the gap between where you are today and where you want to go.
Be Open to Feedback
One of the best pieces of advice Courtney received early in her career? “Stop waiting for permission and just do it.” While initiative is key, so is being receptive to feedback. Every mistake is a chance to learn, refine, and grow. When you’re open to constructive criticism, you not only improve but also demonstrate that you’re coachable—an invaluable trait for future leaders.
Define Your Goals
Not all promotions look the same, and that’s okay. Alessandra encourages reflection on these questions:
- Do you want to manage people?
- Are you seeking more responsibility or influence within the organization?
- Would you prefer to advance as an individual contributor?
Many organizations now offer growth paths for individual contributors, such as Principal or Staff roles, which provide opportunities for advancement without requiring people management. Have you looked into this at your own company? If not yet, why not now?
Learning from the Experts
Every person’s path to a promotion is unique—here are insights from the experts:
Daniel attributes his success to stepping outside his comfort zone and saying “yes” to opportunities he might have initially hesitated to pursue. By empowering others and building their capacity, he demonstrated his ability to lead and motivate effectively—key traits of a great leader.
For Alessandra, solving business problems has always been the primary focus. By connecting the dots across teams and driving collaboration, she’s consistently added value to her organization. Her recent transition to overseeing the community department at Asana highlights her ability to align team efforts with business goals.
Courtney emphasized mindset and preparation as critical to her growth. By letting go of a “victim mentality” and focusing on ownership and confidence, she positioned herself for success. Her willingness to embrace new challenges, combined with a commitment to acting on feedback, prepared her to seize opportunities when they arose.
Ready, Set, GO!
Growing your career in customer education is as much about mindset as it is about skillset. Here’s how you can take the next step:
- Customize your application to show your enthusiasm and alignment with the role.
- Be proactive in following up and building relationships with hiring managers.
- Start career conversations early and take on stretch assignments to demonstrate your readiness.
- Focus on business impact rather than just your personal output.
- Stay open to feedback and embrace opportunities to learn and grow.
Your success in customer education isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you show up, adapt, and contribute to the success of your team and organization. Apply these insights, take ownership of your growth, and position yourself for the opportunities you’re ready to claim.