steppingstones
Path across stream
Steppingstones are flat stones placed across a stream or wet ground to walk on without getting wet.
The word almost always appears figuratively: intermediate stages that help you progress toward a goal.
Entry-level jobs serve as steppingstones to better positions.
She saw the internship as a steppingstone to a full-time career.
Also written as two words or hyphenated.
Point where paths intersect
- fordWalkable river crossing
- brookSmall flowing watercourse
- streamSteady continuous flow
- gardenCultivated plant area
walkway · footpath · traverse · pond · bridge · pavers · flagstones · trail
Distinct periods or platforms
- phasesDistinct periods in sequence
- milestonesNotable points of progress
- incrementsUnits of increase
- ladderPortable climbing frame
sequence · transitions · benchmarks · checkpoints · levels · gradations · rungs · degrees
Forward movement or promotion
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- internshipSupervised professional trial period
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
- entry-levelRequiring minimal prior experience
networking · mentorship · credentials · experience · resume · opportunity · breakthrough · portfolio
Foundational preparation for something
- preparationArranging things in advance
- basicsFoundational knowledge of something
- fundamentalsCore elements of something
- building blocksBasic units for construction
prerequisites · cornerstone · base · framework · scaffold · underpinning · platform · bedrock
crossing
Point where paths intersect
garden · walkway · footpath · traverse · pond · bridge · pavers · flagstones · trail · passage
stages
Distinct periods or platforms
- phasesDistinct periods in sequence
- milestonesNotable points of progress
- incrementsUnits of increase
ladder · sequence · transitions · benchmarks · checkpoints · levels · gradations · rungs · degrees · intervals
advancement
Forward movement or promotion
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- internshipSupervised professional trial period
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
entry-level · networking · mentorship · credentials · experience · resume · opportunity · breakthrough · portfolio · training
groundwork
Foundational preparation for something
- preparationArranging things in advance
- basicsFoundational knowledge of something
- fundamentalsCore elements of something
building blocks · prerequisites · cornerstone · base · framework · scaffold · underpinning · platform · bedrock · footing
steppingstonesstumbling blocks
Obstacles preventing progress
direct route · obstacles · barriers · roadblocks · dead ends
steppingstonesultimate goal
Final desired outcome
dead end · endpoint · terminus · culmination · permanent position