Climbing the Corporate Ladder

An interview with Monica Morita of USC Student Services:

The advancement of an employee from one job position to another that has a higher salary, elevated title and more responsibilities within an organization is called a promotion. Promotions often come with increased management or oversight responsibilities that require strong leadership capabilities. However, developing those skills in your current position is what makes you stand out from the rest and increases your chances of promotion.

This can seem like a daunting task, but with the right guidance and strategy, a promotion could be right around the corner!  Dr. Monica Morita, currently the Director of the Athlete Career Transitions Program at USC, offers some simple recommendations of how to move forward into the next phases of your career.     

For Morita, the most pertinent tool to use when looking to move vertically or laterally within a company is by networking. Over her career, Morita cites establishing a community as a primary reason for success,“It’s always about keeping in contact with people, and it’s not always a one-way street,” Morita said. “It’s also about connecting with people and being a resource for them.”

This skill of networking is particularly useful as you ascend to higher-paying and more demanding positions. These positions typically seek to hire/promote workers with a wealth of experience and look for potential hires from competitive internal talent pools. By building a strong professional network both inside and outside your organization, you increase your visibility and make it easier to advocate for your capabilities when opportunities arise. 

Networking helps you learn about upcoming positions before they’re posted, gain insights into what leadership values most, and create mutually beneficial relationships that can lead to mentorship or sponsorship.

Morita emphasizes that networking is not just about gaining favors, but also about being a resource to others. It’s a two-way exchange that fosters long-term trust and respect, “People want to know that they bring you in, that you are somebody they can trust,” said Morita. Offering help, sharing knowledge, and being accountable to colleagues can solidify your own standing within the company and position you as a key player for future opportunities.

In addition to networking, Morita advises focusing on continual self-improvement. Taking on new challenges, expanding your skill set, and establishing an ethos of accountability can make all the difference when vying for a promotion. Seek feedback, be proactive in your learning, Morita offers that these principles helped her stand out even amidst her mistakes, “I found that out early on, if I make a mistake, I owned it and made sure not to do it again.”

Ultimately, the path to promotion is not just about waiting for the opportunity to arise; it’s about creating a proactive strategy that positions you as a valuable asset to the organization. By combining strong networking with a commitment to self-development, you can set yourself on a clear trajectory toward career advancement.