How to Become a CEO?

Are you thinking of becoming a CEO or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a CEO, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new CEO job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
"Chief Executive Officer" was the nearest match for you query "CEO".

Steps to Become a Chief Executive Officer

If you're considering starting your Chief Executive Officer career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Chief Executive Officer and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Chief Executive Officer career.
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1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Chief Executive Officer career path, a Graduate Degree in Business or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Chief Executive Officer internship may be required to earn your Graduate Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Chief Executive Officer, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Chief Executive Officer field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Chief Executive Officer specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Chief Executive Officer

Once you've acquired a Graduate Degree in Business or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Chief Executive Officer. In general, you can become a Chief Executive Officer after completing your 2 year Graduate Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Chief Executive Officer role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified association executive, certified public accountant.
4

Advance in Your Chief Executive Officer Career

Following entry-level, there are several Chief Executive Officer career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Chief Executive Officer to progress to the next seniority level position. Each advanced Chief Executive Officer position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Chief Executive Officer career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Chief Executive Officer career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Chief Executive Officer Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Chief Executive Officer career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Business can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $416,187 compared to $76,358 for those without that type of degree.

We don't have enough career path data for CEO jobs. Below are job titles that share similar skill sets.

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Related Careers in the Business Industry

Interested in other Business careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with CEO skills. Discover some of the most common CEO career transitions, along with skills overlap.

President
0% skills overlap
17% transitioned to President