1. the manner in which a person manages the progress of his or her career, both within and between organizations. The issues that individuals must confront in their career development differ as a function of whether they are in the early, middle, or late stage of their careers. See also professional development.

2. the ways in which an organization structures the career progress of its employees, typically so that they are rewarded with higher levels of pay, status, responsibility, and satisfaction as they gain skills and experience.