Starfsleiða

Starfsleiða is an Icelandic term commonly translated as career path or professional trajectory. It refers to the planned sequence of jobs, roles, and educational steps through which an individual progresses to reach vocational goals. The concept is used in career guidance, education, and human resources to describe how a person develops skills and experiences over time within a field or across different occupations.

In Iceland, schools and career counselors often encourage learners to consider their starfleiða when selecting courses in upper secondary education and pursuing higher education or vocational training. Internships, apprenticeships, and work-placements are seen as parts of developing an effective starfleiða, connecting learning with the labor market.

Developing a starfleiða typically involves self-assessment (interests, strengths, values), market exploration (industries and occupations, required qualifications), goal setting, and planning (education, training, experiential learning, networking). Guidance may include mapping possible pathways, identifying skill gaps, and outlining steps to acquire relevant certifications or degrees.

A starfleiða is usually non-linear. People may change directions, shift to new industries, or return to education later in life. The concept emphasizes lifelong learning, adaptability, and ongoing career development in response to evolving labor market needs and personal goals.

Related concepts include starfsráðgjöf (career guidance) and starfsferill (career history).