Navigating the Ups and Downs: Managing Your Career Trajectory for Success
What do you want from your career? It's a question that most graduates either haven't asked themselves or struggle to answer confidently.
Too often, people enter the workforce without a clear strategy, hoping that time and experience will naturally lead them to success.
Unfortunately, career success doesn't happen by accident. For recent graduates, it requires taking proactive measures to understand industry trends, network with the right people, and seize growth opportunities early.
Organizations like Shell recognize the importance of these steps. As such, they help provide an environment that encourages career development through mentorship programmes, leadership training, and an innovative culture.
Why managing your career trajectory matters
A career trajectory refers to the paths you must take, including growth, skill development, job changes, and overall progression toward long-term career goals. It's simply a route to reaching your career's full potential.
A clear career trajectory provides direction and ensures that every job, skill, and experience aligns with one's long-term professional goals. Without it, professionals risk stagnation, missed opportunities, or job dissatisfaction.
Having a well-defined career path ensures that you:
- Stay focused on your future professional growth opportunities
- Continuously work towards self-development
- Enjoy improved job satisfaction due to greater clarity
- Position yourself for better work opportunities as well as leadership roles
- Improve your earning potential
To contribute towards directing employees' professional lives, Shell provides mentorship programmes, leadership development initiatives, and a structured career framework to help employees direct their professional lives.
Types of career trajectories
The main idea behind planning a career trajectory is to ensure that we continuously improve and grow over time. Such growth can take two forms: horizontal and vertical.
- Horizontal career trajectory: This refers to career movements across industries or roles. Instead of promotions, individuals may switch roles, departments, or industries to build expertise.
- Vertical career trajectory: This path progresses upward and is characterized by promotions, increased responsibilities, and higher compensation. Professionals following this path climb the corporate ladder from entry-level positions to executive roles.
Horizontal vs. Vertical career trajectories at Shell
| Aspect | Vertical Career Trajectory | Horizontal Career Trajectory |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Upward movement in roles with increasing responsibility. | Lateral movement across roles, departments, or functions. |
| Focus | Leadership, promotions, higher responsibilities. | Skill diversification, cross-functional expertise. |
| Example Roles at Shell | Moving from Graduate Trainee → Engineer → Senior Engineer → Manager → Executive. | Transitioning from an Engineering role to a Business Analyst or HSE Specialist. |
| Benefits | Opportunities for leadership roles, greater influence in strategic decisions, and potential for increased compensation. | Enhanced versatility, a broader skill set, and access to diverse career paths which can also open doors to future leadership or specialised roles. |
| Best for | Professionals who are motivated by structured progression, growing responsibilities, and leadership roles within a defined path. | Individuals who thrive on cross-functional experiences, enjoy adapting to new challenges, and want to build versatile expertise that can also lead to leadership opportunities. |
| Shell’s Support | Leadership development programmes, executive mentorship, fast-track promotions. | Job rotation programmes, cross-functional training, and skill-building initiatives. |
Strategies for planning and managing your career
Setting short-term and long-term career goals
Establishing career goals is vital to creating a clear career trajectory plan. No one starts a journey without a destination—in this case, these are your short and long-term goals.
Short-term goals focus on immediate skill-building, project achievements, or role advancement. Long-term goals, on the other hand, define future growth opportunities, such as wanting to become an industry expert.
Recognizing and capitalizing on opportunities for growth
Everyone is exposed to opportunities at different points in their career. However, being able to identify and seize those opportunities can often be crucial for success.
You must be proactive and adaptable to recognize and take advantage of opportunities. In most cases, this might mean taking on challenging projects, pursuing additional certifications, or relocating for better prospects.
Building your professional network
To achieve your career goals, you must build strong professional relationships. These professional networks open doors to mentorship, job referrals, and first-hand access to insights.
Networking can be done online through professional platforms like LinkedIn or industry forums. Offline opportunities include conferences, industry events, and internal company initiatives that support early-career networking and collaboration.
Also read: The Dos and Don’ts of Professional Networking
Overcoming setbacks and learning from failures
Career growth is not always linear, and setbacks are inevitable. Seeing challenges as learning experiences rather than obstacles can be a better way to cope with these situations.
Even better, focus on what led to the failure, seek constructive feedback, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Seeking feedback and mentorship
Feedback is the backbone of self-improvement. Mentors are one of the best channels for receiving constructive feedback. They offer guidance, share experiences, and can help you navigate industry challenges.
You can also seek feedback from supervisors and peers.
Taking calculated risks
Most times, our inability to take risks comes from a place of fear, resulting in stagnation. Taking calculated risks might involve transitioning to a new role, starting a business, or switching industries, all of which can lead to our desired breakthrough in career growth.
Learn to assess risks and embrace new opportunities when necessary.
Maintaining work-life balance
Prioritize health, relationships, and personal development because that’s the only way to achieve sustainable career success and prevent burnout.
Companies like Shell promote work-life balance through flexible schedules, wellness programmes, and supportive workplace cultures.
Power your progress at Shell
Shell's operations in Poland are renowned for fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment. The diverse team comprises over 5,000 professionals in Kraków and more than 200 in Warsaw. Employees represent over 60 nationalities and communicate in more than 20 languages.
This multicultural setting enriches workplace interactions and promotes inclusivity. Shell also strongly emphasizes gender equality, with women holding approximately 50% of managerial positions in the Kraków center. The company actively supports individuals with disabilities and provides assistive technologies.
For recent graduates and early-career professionals, Shell Poland offers a range of entry-level opportunities designed to cultivate talent and foster career growth. These include opportunities to:
Grow your skills
Shell Poland provides an environment where early-career professionals can continuously develop their skills through hands-on projects and mentorship programmes. The Shell Graduate Programme offers learning experiences in areas including supply chain, finance, and commercial operations, ensuring employees can build expertise in their chosen fields.
Collaborate with experienced colleagues
New employees at Shell Poland benefit from working alongside top professionals who offer guidance, knowledge, and support. Mentorship and teamwork promote a collaborative work environment.
Regardless of your field, you're opportune to learn from real-world challenges from day one.
Achieve your balance in a values-led culture
Shell is committed to work-life balance and employee well-being because it's the basis for thriving as a professional. To this end, Shell Poland supports flexible work arrangements and wellness programmes, making it a place where employees feel valued.
Develop the energy solutions of today and tomorrow
Besides all the work benefits, early-career professionals at Shell Poland play a vital role in shaping the future of energy. Regardless of your department, you can contribute to innovations that drive cleaner and more efficient energy solutions.
Joining Shell Poland as a young professional is more than just a job—it is an opportunity to grow, collaborate, and make a difference.
Meet Farah
Read Transcript
Read Transcript
Title: Shell Graduate: Farah's transformative journey
Duration: 1:10 minutes
Description:
Farah, an MRTA Engineer based in Miri Sarawak, Malaysia, takes us on a journey through her professional career in Shell, and how it has shaped and gave her purpose in life.
Shell Graduate: Farah's transformative journey transcript
[Background music plays]
Airy notes start out and flows continuously, then slowly builds to a crescendo as the video progresses
Farah
My name is Farah, and I'm excited to share how Shell not only shaped my career but also enriched my life with newfound purpose.
[Text displays]
Farah
MRTA Engineer, Miri Sarawak
[Text displays]
How Shell shaped my career and enriched my life with newfound purpose
[Video footage]
Farah is seen sitting on an open corner booth seating at the office with a notebook and small tumbler with Shell branding placed in front of her. She is wearing a deep blue blouse and a white hijab as she talks straight and gestures towards the camera.
[Transition]
Panels of solid colors patterned as blue-orange-blue, in curved stripes and in the Shell brand colors, animates in from the left of the screen to cover the whole screen as it goes towards the right of the screen and out of frame.
Farah
Coming from a humble background in Sabah, having a career simply meant having the means to pay my bills.
[Text displays]
Having a career meant having the means to pay my bills
[Video footage and split screen]
A medium front-view angle of Farah appears on screen seated in the same position as the introductory frame. The screen splits into two with the same video seen on the left while the right side exhibits a digital scan of a magazine clipping that features Farah when she was young. The screen changes to a full screen photo of Farah standing in front of a tall Asian display with a signage on top in gold Chinese letters, silk lanterns hanging below, and oriental red panels situated on either side of Farah.
Farah
But when I joined the Shell Graduate Programme, it made me see the many opportunities I can undertake.
[Text displays]
Shell Graduate Programme
It made me see the many opportunities I can undertake
[Video footage and photo montage]
A video of Farah speaking in front of the camera in the same office booth as the previous ones shows first. A series of photos pops out on top of the video to cover one-fourth of the screen each time without covering Farah’s speaking face in the middle of the screen. The first photo appearing on the top left is of Farah at a spot outside the Shell office with a Place of Business signage at the back and several mirrors reflecting a driveway. The next photo placed on the bottom right is a shot of a display in white of a reception area with the Shell logo in the middle and the has a pattern that somewhat resembles islands dotted around. The top right photo features Farah with a big group of people posing for the camera while a few individuals are holding up a black banner that says Nexus, Shell Graduate Network. Lastly, a photo on the bottom right shows Farah standing in a meeting room with a couple of colleagues looking out to someone outside of the frame.
Farah
I was one of the organizers for our Energy Transition and Transformation Day at Shell Malaysia Upstream, which brought together leaders to bring our ideas to life and provide solutions for the energy transition.
[Text displays]
brought together leaders to bring our ideas to life
provide solutions for the energy transition
[Video footage and photo montage and split screen]
A panoramic view of the sea from a ship deck plays on screen just as the sun touches the sea at sunset while a person is seen on the left holding a phone and taking a photo of the view. A photo appears in the middle of the video of a view of an oil rig out on the ocean from the point-of-view of a passenger of a ship. The photo transforms into a video of Farah standing on an oil rig as she talks towards the camera while wearing a red Shell uniform as required by the location. Next, the full screen goes back to Farah at the office booth as she continues to articulate her journey. The screen splits into two with her talking moving to the right side. What appears on the left side is a photo of Farah with fellow leaders at Shell Malaysia Upstream. A panning shot of Farah seated at her desk plays as she diligently works on her computer. It goes back to her interview frame at the office booth.
[Transition]
Panels of solid colors patterned as blue-orange-blue, in curved stripes and in the Shell brand colors, animates in from the left of the screen to cover the whole screen as it goes towards the right of the screen and out of frame.
Farah
I used to be shy and timid, but my experience with Shell gave me the opportunity to speak up and build my confidence.
[Text displays]
speak up and build my confidence
[Video footage]
Close-up side angle of Farah as she talks and gestures to someone outside of the frame. A medium shot of Farah at a meeting room as she presents to other people seated around her with her presentation projected on a TV that is not fully seen on screen.
Farah
I was provided with the right exposure and support to work on complex tasks such as managing risks for our infrastructures.
[Text displays]
I was provided with the right exposure and support to work on complex tasks
[Video footage and photos]
We go back to Farah being interviewed in the office booth. Appearing at the same time afterwards is a full-screen video of a view of an oil rig through a panning fish eye lens and a photo of Farah in safety uniform and a hard hat standing in front of and pointing to a massive contraption with thick metal pipes connecting the machine to other areas of the rig.
[Transition]
Panels of solid colors patterned as blue-orange-blue, in curved stripes and in the Shell brand colors, animates in from the left of the screen to cover the whole screen as it goes towards the right of the screen and out of frame.
Farah
But what really stood out for me was how Shell valued my personal development.
[Text displays]
Shell valued my personal development
[Video footage]
We see Farah once again back in the office booth as she continues to converse about her journey.
Farah
Being able to collaborate with experienced colleagues empowered me to develop my skills in resourcefulness and problem-solving. Also, there are comprehensive training courses on personal development that I can take at my own pace.
[Video footage]
An over-the-shoulder medium shot of a couple of Farah’s co-workers shows them listening intently to the speaker not shown in the frame. It shifts wider frame to include a third colleague who is seen speaking and nodding another person not in frame. We see after that they were all focused on Farah as she discusses the subject written on a white board behind her. Following this, a quick return to Farah in the office booth as she speaks to the camera. Then, an over-the-shoulder shot of a computer screen displays a website where one can learn further and explore as mentioned by Farah. A couple of quick shots of Farah on her computer desk follows after with a medium shot of her scrolling on her keypad as she reads off the computer screen, then of a close-up frame of her face as she works.
Farah
Working with Shell has been a transformative journey.
[Text displays]
Working with Shell has been a transformative journey
[Video footage and split screen]
The screen splits into two with the left of Farah sitting down beside a colleague as she puts down her notebook and greets them with a big smile on her face. The right panel is a selfie video that Farah took inside a car as she poses with a sideways peace sign while wearing her safety uniform and hard hat.
Farah
Progressing my career while helping develop cleaner energy solutions truly gave me a sense of fulfilment like no other.
[Video footage]
A full-screen video of Farah smiling and laughing in her safety uniform against the backdrop of the sea during sunset is shown. A medium left-view shot of Farah on her desk as she works. A video zooming out to reveal Farah having a work discussion with three colleagues. To end the video, Farah is seen standing in an outdoor atrium with a view of the Shell office through the glass windows as she says her final line with a smile on her face.
[Background music plays]
Music ends with a few uplifting key notes before the Shell brand mnemonic plays.
[Video footage and animated sequence]
Over medium footage of Farah talking towards the camera, a yellow line draws the shape of a Pecten, and text displays below this. Then, concentric Pecten shapes pulsate out from the original shape until the frame is filled with radiating Pecten shapes.
[Audio]
Shell brand mnemonic played on strings.
[Text displays]
Find out more
shell.com.my/careers
[Animated sequence]
The small classic red and yellow Pecten transitions in to display at frame-center against a white background.
Shell Graduate Programme
The Shell Graduate Programme is an opportunity that allows graduates to develop their skills through formal training, on-the-job learning, and leadership development.
Applying only takes a few steps.
Application process for the Shell Graduate Programme
Online application
The first step is to submit an online application through the Shell careers portal. Candidates must upload their resume, academic transcripts, and personal details, ensuring they meet the eligibility criteria.
These criteria include having a relevant degree, fluency in English, and up to three years of work experience (for the Shell Graduate Programme).
Stage 1: Online assessments
Shortlisted applicants receive an invitation to complete a series of online assessments, which test cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and work-related behaviors. The assessments include:
- A gamified test evaluating cognitive strengths
- A decision-making test simulating workplace challenges
- A working style assessment to determine how well the candidate fits within Shell's culture
Stage 2: Final assessment
Candidates who pass the online assessments proceed to the Shell Final Assessment, which includes a case study and an interview. During this stage, applicants analyze real business challenges and present their findings to Shell assessors.
This session also includes competency-based interview questions to evaluate leadership potential, problem-solving skills, and adaptability.
Shell connect
Before receiving an official offer, successful candidates are invited to Shell Connect, an informal networking session. This event allows applicants to engage with current employees, recent graduates, and senior leaders, all of whom provide insight into Shell's work culture.
What to expect on the Programme
Your Learning Journey
Within your three years in the programme, you will be molded to be a future leader through a range of development opportunities which may include job rotations, on-the-job challenges, formal training and coaching.
Tailored Graduate Development
At Shell, we empower graduates to take ownership of your own development.
Co-created by you and your line manager to make the best of your individual strengths, your unique plan is an agreed course of action to help you keep track of your progress and steer your learning.
Using this plan as a guide, you will actively manage your development while your line manager will provide the necessary enablement.
End-of-Programme Assessment
At the end of your programme, your performance and achievements will be reviewed. Upon a successful outcome, an exciting next phase of the journey will commence.
Power your future with Shell
Managing your career trajectory is vital for success in the long run. A well-defined career path helps you set clear goals, seize opportunities, and build a strong network, amongst other things.
At Shell, employees benefit from a supportive and inclusive work environment that encourages them to become the best they can be as professionals. If you're looking for a company that values growth, innovation, and diversity, Shell is an excellent place to start or advance your career.
Start shaping your future with Shell today—visit our career page to learn more and explore opportunities!