careerism
Advancement above all
Careerism is the prioritization of professional advancement over other values—ethics, relationships, or the work itself.
The term is almost always pejorative, suggesting someone who climbs the ladder without regard for who they step on: His careerism alienated colleagues who once admired him.
A careerist pursues status and promotion as ends in themselves.
Exploiting circumstances for gain
- self-servingBenefiting oneself primarily
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
- selfishConcerned only with oneself
- me-firstPrioritizing personal advantage
transactional · mercenary · exploitation · agenda · calculated · quid-pro-quo
Prioritizing goods over spirit
- shallowWithout much depth
- soullessLacking spirit or feeling
- emptyHolding nothing inside
- rat-raceExhausting competitive routine
workaholic · burnout · sellout · conformist · hollow · unfulfilling · treadmill · grind
Viciously competitive or murderous
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
unscrupulous · cold-blooded · mercenary · exploitative · trampling · conniving · undermining · sabotage
Rank increase or publicity
- ladderPortable climbing frame
- climbingAscending by physical effort
- progressionSequential forward movement
- riseMove to higher position
ascent · trajectory · leapfrogging · fast-track · title · seniority · hierarchy · rank
Strong desire for achievement
- driveOperate a vehicle
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- goal-orientedFocused on objectives
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
determination · hunger · pursuit · single-minded · focused · relentless · tenacity · vision
Relationships between things
- schmoozingCasual strategic socializing
- brown-nosingObsequious flattery for favor
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
- name-droppingCiting connections for status
patronage · mentorship · glad-handing · self-promotion · visibility · leveraging · cultivating · gatekeepers
opportunism
Exploiting circumstances for gain
- self-servingBenefiting oneself primarily
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
- selfishConcerned only with oneself
me-first · transactional · mercenary · exploitation · agenda · calculated · quid-pro-quo
materialism
Prioritizing goods over spirit
rat-race · workaholic · burnout · sellout · conformist · hollow · unfulfilling · treadmill · grind · superficial
cutthroat
Viciously competitive or murderous
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
manipulative · unscrupulous · cold-blooded · mercenary · exploitative · trampling · conniving · undermining · sabotage · maneuvering
promotion
Rank increase or publicity
- ladderPortable climbing frame
- climbingAscending by physical effort
- progressionSequential forward movement
rise · ascent · trajectory · leapfrogging · fast-track · title · seniority · hierarchy · rank · position
aspiration
Strong desire for achievement
- driveOperate a vehicle
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- goal-orientedFocused on objectives
striving · determination · hunger · pursuit · single-minded · focused · relentless · tenacity · vision · prospects
connections
Relationships between things
- schmoozingCasual strategic socializing
- brown-nosingObsequious flattery for favor
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
name-dropping · patronage · mentorship · glad-handing · self-promotion · visibility · leveraging · cultivating · gatekeepers · influential
- lifestylessimple living, city life, family life, minimalism, rural life
- opportunismcapitalizing, cashing in, self-serving, maneuvering, leveraging
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- selfishnessselfishness, greed, egoism, narcissism, self-centeredness
- work valueswork ethic, integrity, honesty, reliability, job satisfaction
careerismvocation
Dedicated career path
calling · idealism · altruism · selflessness · mission-driven
careerismcollegiality
Respectful cooperation among peers
selflessness · team spirit · collective good · esprit de corps · servant leadership
careerismcraftsmanship
Skill in making objects
professionalism · artisanship · mastery · workmanship · amateurism