German word

Werdegang

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈveːɐ̯dəˌgaŋ/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncareer

Example

Sie erzählt ihren Werdegang kurz.

She briefly describes her career.

Illustration for Werdegang (career)

More examples

Im Interview konnte er den Werdegang präzise schildern.

In the interview, he was able to describe his career precisely.

Core concept

A person's development viewed as a sequence of stages rather than as a single present role.

Common phrases

  • den Werdegang schildern

    describe one's career

  • Werdegang darstellen

    present one's career

Similar words

Lebenslauf: A formal record of education and employment submitted for an application or procedure.
Berufserfahrung: Skills and achievements gained through actual work experience.
Laufbahn: A person's professional progression through changing roles and promotions.
Hintergrund: Details about the education, family, and upbringing that shaped a person.

Definition in German

Bezeichnung für die Gesamtheit der Stationen und Erfahrungen, durch die sich die berufliche und persönliche Entwicklung einer Person vollzieht.

Word origin

Werdegang combines werden, 'to become', and Gang, 'course' or 'going', to name the course through which someone develops.

Usage tips

  • Werdegang often emphasizes development and turning points, whereas Lebenslauf more often denotes a resume or a chronological record.

Other meanings

  • work historynoun
  • professional backgroundnoun

Word lists with this word