Because there are so many c-suite positions, there are a variety of ways to become a c-level executive. The path to becoming a chief information officer (CIO) is usually distinct from the path to becoming a chief financial officer (CFO), and so on. If you want to be a c-level executive, you should first figure out what position you want and then work toward that goal. All of these jobs necessitate a high level of business acumen and a strong ability to communicate, so you’ll want to improve those skills as you progress in your career. In most cases, you’ll want to work for a company in your field of interest, then take a job in a department related to your desired c-suite position and work your way up.
In many corporate structures, the c-suite is a collection of executive positions. Because not every company employs each of these c-level executives, you should keep this in mind as you begin your career. Another factor to consider is that as you progress up the corporate ladder, you may need to move between companies, and that in many cases, the skills and knowledge required to become a c-level executive can be transferred easily from one company to another. In some cases, staying with one company throughout your career is preferable, especially if you can impress upper management early on.
There was a time when there were very clear paths to becoming a c-level executive. Most boards looked for a specific set of requirements for each position, so prospective candidates could plan their careers ahead of time. Those paths are still viable in many situations, but your options may be more varied depending on the type of c-level executive you want to be. Many chief executive officers (CEOs) start their careers as chief operating officers (COOs), but others start as board presidents or even general managers. If you want to be a CEO, one of your objectives should be to attend board meetings and participate in quarterly analyst calls.
Your options for becoming a c-level executive in another capacity may be even more diverse. Many vice presidents of operations go on to become chief operating officers, but there are numerous other options. Depending on the industry, some COOs rise through the ranks of sales or business development departments. Similarly, many chief information and chief technology officers rose through the ranks of software engineering, which used to necessitate holding the position of information technology director first. Regardless of your career path or the type of c-level executive you aspire to be, you may want to find a mentor within your company to assist you in staying on track and acting as an advocate with upper management.