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Horizontal and Lateral Career Moves

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Horizontal and Lateral Career Moves

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Develop a strategic mindset for successful lateral career transitions.

  • Learn how to leverage mentorship and continuous learning for growth.

  • Master the art of networking to expand career opportunities.

  • Gain insights into managing career mobility while balancing personal life.

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Recently updated!

February 2026

Assessments

10 assignments

Taught in English

There are 9 modules in this course

This course features Coursera Coach!

A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. This course is designed to guide you through the strategic approaches to making lateral career moves that foster growth, enhance your skills, and broaden your experience. As you progress, you will explore how horizontal career moves can open doors to new opportunities, help you escape toxic environments, and align your career with your passions and long-term goals. You'll gain insights into the mindset needed for success in lateral career transitions, with real-world examples from leaders like Oprah Winfrey. The course is divided into engaging modules, each focused on different aspects of lateral career advancement. From understanding the vital role of mentorship and continuous learning to leveraging opportunities for career growth, you'll gain essential strategies for navigating professional shifts. The course also emphasizes the importance of networking, versatility, and embracing technological changes to create strategic opportunities. You'll learn how to evaluate career moves, seek mentorship, and follow your curiosity to maximize your career mobility. The course is ideal for professionals seeking to make strategic career moves, those wanting to escape toxic environments, or anyone looking to grow by gaining exposure to new roles and responsibilities. It's perfect for individuals eager to learn how to balance career growth with personal and professional life. There are no specific prerequisites, though a basic understanding of career development and personal goals will be helpful. The course is appropriate for both early and mid-career professionals. By the end of the course, you will be able to confidently make strategic lateral career moves, evaluate new opportunities from a growth perspective, build meaningful networks, and leverage mentorship to facilitate professional advancement.

In this module, we will introduce you to essential strategies for navigating successful career transitions. You’ll learn how to make strategic lateral moves and discover how aligning your passion with your profession can open new doors. We will explore the importance of growth through horizontal moves and their potential to broaden your experience.

What's included

4 videos

4 videosTotal 7 minutes
  • Promo Video - Great Career Moves1 minute
  • Quick Win - Horizontal Career Moves2 minutes
  • Another Quick Win - Focus on Your Passion1 minute
  • Focus on What Intrigues and Inspires You3 minutes

In this module, we will focus on cultivating the right mindset for making successful lateral career moves. You’ll learn how an intrinsic value mindset can empower your decisions and discover the importance of long-term planning for sustained career growth. Additionally, we’ll examine real-world examples, such as Oprah Winfrey's strategic career moves, to inspire your journey.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

4 videosTotal 13 minutes
  • The Three Pillars of Live Support, Community, and Interactive AI Clone5 minutes
  • Embracing Intrinsic Value Mindset3 minutes
  • The Horizontal Career Strategy of Oprah Winfrey1 minute
  • The Importance of Long-Term Thinking for Sustainable Success4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • The Mindset for Lateral Career Success - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will delve into the powerful role mentorship plays in guiding lateral career moves. You will learn how to actively seek out learning opportunities to grow your skill set and how making strategic horizontal moves can provide an escape from toxic work environments. We’ll also explore how personal growth drives successful career transitions.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

4 videosTotal 8 minutes
  • The Vital Role of Mentorship in Lateral Career Moves2 minutes
  • The Value of Actively Seeking Learning Opportunities1 minute
  • Horizontal Moves to Escape Toxic Work Environments2 minutes
  • The Journey of Lateral Moves Driven by a Desire for Growth3 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • The Role of Mentorship and Continuous Learning - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will guide you through aligning your passions with your career to achieve greater fulfillment. You’ll learn how lateral moves can help you overcome career dissatisfaction and rediscover purpose. Additionally, we’ll discuss how to balance career growth with maintaining healthy family and personal relationships.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

4 videosTotal 10 minutes
  • Exploring Your Passion for a Fulfilling Career1 minute
  • The Misalignment of Career Satisfaction2 minutes
  • Balancing Career Moves with Family and Personal Relationships4 minutes
  • Gaining Exposure and Skills Through Lateral Career Transitions2 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Passion, Growth, and Career Fulfillment - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will explore how lateral career moves can enhance your professional network and lead to new opportunities. You’ll learn how being versatile and fearless in your career decisions can help you thrive in any industry. We will also teach you how to evaluate career moves from a strategic, long-term perspective to align with your broader goals.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

4 videosTotal 7 minutes
  • Networking Benefits of Making Lateral Career Moves2 minutes
  • Versatility and Fearlessness in Careers2 minutes
  • Career Advancement in Response to Industry Shrinkage1 minute
  • Evaluating Career Moves Strategically2 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Networking and Strategic Career Positioning - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will focus on leveraging curiosity and your existing network to uncover new lateral career opportunities. You’ll learn how embracing technological changes and exploring side gigs can broaden your career horizon. Additionally, we’ll explore how these strategies can accelerate your career growth in today’s dynamic job market.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

4 videosTotal 15 minutes
  • Follow Your Curiosity3 minutes
  • Sourcing Career Opportunities from Your Teammates5 minutes
  • Leveraging Technological Changes for Strategic Lateral Moves3 minutes
  • Utilizing Side Gigs Ventures for Lateral Moves4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Leveraging Opportunities for Career Growth - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will highlight the essential skills that will support your career mobility. You’ll learn how strong communication and collaboration skills can open doors for lateral career moves, as well as the importance of continuous learning in staying competitive. These skills will help you navigate transitions and grow within your desired career path.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

4 videosTotal 13 minutes
  • The Importance of Communication Skills in Lateral Career Advancement2 minutes
  • The Power of Collaboration in Making a Lateral Career Move2 minutes
  • Keep Learning in the Industry You Care About3 minutes
  • Building Meaningful Connections in the Right Way5 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Essential Skills for Career Mobility - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will explore advanced strategies to support your professional growth. You will discover how mentorship can fast-track your career development and learn how to pitch yourself effectively for lateral opportunities. We’ll also discuss how developing key skills can help you address societal challenges while making meaningful career transitions.

What's included

3 videos1 assignment

3 videosTotal 10 minutes
  • Strengthening Professional Development Through Mentorship3 minutes
  • Pitching Yourself the Right Way for Lateral Career Moves4 minutes
  • Developing Skills to Tackle the Challenges in Society4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Advanced Strategies for Professional Growth - Assessment15 minutes

In this final module, we will recap the key strategies and concepts covered in the course, celebrating your progress. You’ll reflect on your journey and feel empowered to take your next steps in making successful lateral career moves. Additionally, we’ll gather your feedback to continuously improve the course for future learners.

What's included

3 videos3 assignments

3 videosTotal 3 minutes
  • Answering Your Key Questions1 minute
  • Feedback for Course Improvement1 minute
  • Completing the Course on Lateral Career Advancement1 minute
3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes
  • Course Wrap-Up and Feedback - Assessment15 minutes
  • Full Course Assessment60 minutes
  • Full Course Practice Assessment15 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

Horizontal and lateral career moves refer to shifting roles or positions within a company or industry without necessarily moving up the corporate ladder. This concept is relevant because it allows professionals to expand their skill set, gain new experiences, and reposition themselves strategically in their careers without the need for immediate promotions. Such moves can also lead to greater job satisfaction, more diversified experiences, and new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

This course focuses on the strategies and mindset needed to make successful horizontal and lateral career moves. It covers key topics such as the importance of aligning your career with your passions, the role of mentorship, how to escape toxic work environments, and how networking and strategic positioning can support career growth. The course equips you with tools and strategies to navigate career transitions effectively and intentionally.

Upon completing this course, you will have a clearer understanding of how to make strategic lateral career moves that align with your values, interests, and long-term goals. You will be able to identify new career opportunities, leverage mentorship and learning, and evaluate potential job moves from a strategic perspective. Additionally, you will have enhanced skills in networking, communication, and collaboration to further advance your career.

No specific background knowledge is required to enroll in this course. However, it is helpful to have some basic understanding of career development principles, such as goal-setting, networking, and career transitions. This course is suitable for individuals at various stages of their careers who are looking to explore new professional opportunities or make strategic career shifts.

This course is designed for professionals who are interested in making horizontal or lateral career moves, whether they are seeking new opportunities, wanting to escape toxic work environments, or aiming to grow their skills in a different role. It is also valuable for individuals looking to transition within their current organization or explore new industries, as well as those who want to create a more fulfilling and balanced career.

The course contains approximately 1 hour of video content, making it a relatively short yet insightful learning experience. The time required to complete the course will depend on how quickly you engage with the materials and any additional resources you may explore.

Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.

If you decide to enroll in the course before the session start date, you will have access to all of the lecture videos and readings for the course. You’ll be able to submit assignments once the session starts.

Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. You’ll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.

If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Course Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Course Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

This course is currently available only to learners who have paid or received financial aid, when available.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,