Career Development or Career Development Planning refers to the process an individual may undergo to evolve their occupational status. It is the process of making decisions for long term learning, to align personal needs of physical or psychological fulfillment with career advancement opportunities.

Career development is the process of managing life, learning and work over the lifespan. It applies to everyone: children think about what they want to do as adults and start to form ideas about work and adult life during their early childhood development.

Career development programs must help employees build a sustainable, future-proof and adaptable approach to the management of their careers. Career development is the link between an individuals' drive and motivation and the organisation's talent management strategy.

Career Development is essential for the implementation of career planning. It refers to a set of programmes designed to match an individual’s needs, abilities and goals with current or future opportunities in the organisation. It is the process through which the action plans are implemented. Developmental activities include all of the off-the-job and on-the-job training techniques.