At Iowa, you have the opportunity to shape your career based on your interests, strengths, and aspirations. Whether you’re exploring new directions or building on your current experience, your professional growth is yours to guide as you explore potential pathways and opportunities.
Career pathway maps are here to help you see what’s possible. They’re designed to give you a clear picture of how careers grow and change within the Professional and Scientific (P&S) job families—so you can explore options, plan your next step, and feel more confident about where you’re headed.
The pages below highlight real examples of how employees in regular positions have moved into different job families through transfers, rehiring, or career development. These examples focus on internal career movement and show paths others have actually taken. Click on a job title to see other possible career moves or learn more about key areas of responsibility. This can help you better understand each role and how it might align with your career goals.
Resources
To help you get started, we’ve included two videos. These walk through how to explore career options, next steps, and use the tools with confidence.
Navigating the Map
Watch this video for a step-by-step guide to career pathways maps.
Career growth journey
Watch this video to see an example career journey at Iowa
P&S role pathways
You can explore common career pathways for employees in the following job families.
P&S career pathway maps by job family
Administrative Services (job codes starting with "PAA")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Administrative Services Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| Clerk III (GB12) | Secretary II (GB51) | Secretary III (GB52) | Clinic Services Specialist (PVL2) | Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) | Support Services Specialist (PVD1) | Clerk IV (GB13) | Patient Access Specialist (PVL1) | Secretary IV (GB53) | Clerk II (GB11) | Supply Chain Associate (PBH1) | Administrative Services Coordinator (PAA1) |
| Admin Services Coordinator (PAA1) | Acad Clin Prog Mgt Associate (PCC1) | Administrative Services Specialist (PAA2) |
| Admin Services Specialist (PAA2) | Administrative Services Manager (PAA3) |
| Admin Services Manager (PAA3) | Administrative Services Administrator (PAA4) |
| Admin Services Administrator (PAA4) | Program Director (PAD3) | Administrative Services Director (PAA5) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Administrative Services Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| Administrative Services Coordinator (PAA1) | Admin Services Specialist (PAA2) | Acad Clin Prog Mgt Associate (PCC1) | Program Coordinator (PAD1) | Accountant (PBF1) | Support Services Specialist (PVD1) | Compliance Coordinator (PNB1) | HR Associate (PGA1) | HR Specialist (PGB1) | Research Support Coordinator (PRM1) | Clinic Services Specialist (PVL2) | Facility Coordinator (PFB1) | HR Coordinator (PGA2) | Communications Specialist (PMP3) | Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) | Patient Access Specialist (PVL1) | Financial Analyst (PBF2) | Qual & Op Improv Coordinator (PAF1) | Support Services Coordinator (PVD2) | Communications Coordinator (PMP1) | Educ Supp Svcs Specialist (PCE2) | Registrar Services Specialist (PCR1) | Project Coordinator (PAE1) |
| Administrative Services Specialist (PAA2) | Admin Services Manager (PAA3) | Accountant (PBF1) | Program Manager (PAD2) | Senior Accountant (PBF3) | Acad Clin Prog Mgt Specialist (PCC2) |
| Administrative Services Manager (PAA3) | Admin Services Administrator (PAA4) |
| Administrative Services Administrator (PAA4) | Admin Services Director (PAA5) |
| Administrative Services Director (PAA5) |
Program Administration (job codes starting with "PAD")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Program Administration Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| Admin Services Coordinator (PAA1) | Recreation Program Coordinator (PQC1) |Educ Supp Svcs Specialist (PCE2) | Admin Services Specialist (PAA2) | Research Support Coordinator (PRM1) | Behavioral Health Consultant (PJA2) | Program Coordinator (PAD1) |
| Program Coordinator (PAD1) | Admin Services Specialist (PAA2) | Communications Specialist (PMP3) | Project Manager (PAE2) | Sr Behavioral Hlth Consultant (PJA3) | Recreation Prgm Asst Director (PQC2) | Constituent Relations Spec (PMP4) | Acad Clin Prog Mgt Crd/Mgr (PCC3) | Educ Supp Svcs Specialist (PCE2) | Program Manager (PAD2) |
| Program Manager (PAD2) | Admin Services Manager (PAA3) | Program Director (PAD3) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Program Administration Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| Program Coordinator (PAD1) | Program Manager (PAD2) | Clin Trials Rsrch Associate (PRV2) |
| Program Manager (PAD2) | Program Director (PAD3) | HC Svcs Mgr/Asst Dept Dir (PVB2) | Admin Services Administrator (PAA4) | Mgr, Acct & Financial Analysis (PBF5) |
| Program Director (PAD3) | Admin Services Director (PAA5) |
Finance and Accounting (job codes starting with "PBF")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Finance and Accounting Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| Admin Services Coordinator (PAA1) | Clerk IV (GB13) | Supply Chain Associate (PBH1) | Admin Services Specialist (PAA2) | Secretary III (GB52) | Supply Chain Coordinator (PBH2) | Accountant (PBF1) |
| Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) | Accountant (PBF1) | Admin Services Coordinator (PAA1) | Financial Analyst (PBF2) |
| Accountant (PBF1) | Admin Services Specialist (PAA2) | Senior Accountant (PBF3) |
| Senior Accountant (PBF3) | Financial Analyst (PBF2) | Accountant (PBF1) | Senior Financial Analyst (PBF4) |
| Senior Financial Analyst (PBF4) | Senior Accountant (PBF3) | Manager, Accounting & Financial Analysis (PBF5) |
| Mgr, Acct & Financial Analysis (PBF5) | Associate Budget/Financial Officer (PBF6) |
| Assoc Budget/Financial Officer (PBF6) | Mgr, Acct & Financial Analysis (PBF5) | Budget/Financial Officer (PBF7) |
| Budget/Financial Officer (PBF7) | University Financial Administrator (PBF8) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Finance and Accounting Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| Accountant (PBF1) | Senior Accountant (PBF3) | Financial Analyst (PBF2) | Senior Financial Analyst (PBF4) | Research Support Specialist (PRM2) |
| Financial Analyst (PBF2) | Senior Financial Analyst (PBF4) | Research Support Specialist (PRM2) |
| Senior Accountant (PBF3) | Senior Financial Analyst (PBF4) | Mgr, Acct & Financial Analysis (PBF5) | Research Support Manager (PRM3) |
| Senior Financial Analyst (PBF4) | Mgr, Acct & Financial Analysis (PBF5) | Snr Business Intel Analyst (PIX2) | HC Svcs Supv/ Assistant Mgr (PVB1) | Business Intel Architect (PIX3) |
| Manager, Accounting & Financial Analysis (PBF5) | Assoc Budget/Financial Officer (PBF6) | Budget/Financial Officer (PBF7) |
| Associate Budget/Financial Officer (PBF6) | Budget/Financial Officer (PBF7) |
| Budget/Financial Officer (PBF7) | Univ Financial Administrator (PBF8) |
| University Financial Administrator (PBF8) |
Procurement and Inventory Management (job codes starting with "PBH")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Procurement and Inventory Management Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| Supply Chain Technician I (GB75) | Custodian I (GD18) | Supply Chain Technician II (GB76) | Storekeeper II (GB71) | Central Service Tech I (GC16) | Supervisor, Custodian Services (GE22) | Storekeeper I (GB70) | Supply Chain Associate (PBH1) |
| Supply Chain Associate (PBH1) | Snr Pharmacy Technician, Cert (GC72) | Clerk III (GB12) | Supply Chain Coordinator (PBH2) |
| Supply Chain Coordinator (PBH2) | Supply Chain Specialist (PBH3) |
| Supply Chain Specialist (PBH3) | Supply Chain Manager (PBH4) |
| Supply Chain Manager (PBH4) | Supply Chain Director (PBH5) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Procurement and Inventory Management Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| Supply Chain Associate (PBH1) | Supply Chain Coordinator (PBH2) | Purchasing Agent (PBP1) | Accountant (PBF1) |
| Supply Chain Coordinator (PBH2) | Supply Chain Specialist (PBH3) | Accountant (PBF1) |
| Supply Chain Specialist (PBH3) | Supply Chain Manager (PBH4) |
| Supply Chain Manager (PBH4) | Supply Chain Director (PBH5) |
| Supply Chain Director (PBH5) |
Human Resources Specialty Services (job codes starting with "PGB")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Human Resources Specialty Services Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| HR Associate (PGA1) | Admin Services Coordinator (PAA1) | HR Coordinator (PGA2) | Clerk IV (GB13) | HR Specialist (PGB1) |
| HR Specialist (PGB1) | HR Coordinator (PGA2) | HR Generalist (PGA3) | Senior HR Specialist (PGB2) |
| Senior HR Specialist (PGB2) | Administrator, HR Services (PGB3) |
| Administrator, HR Services (PGB3) | Director, HR Services (PGB4) |
| Director, HR Services (PGB4) | Senior Director, HR Services (PGB5) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Human Resources Specialty Services Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| HR Specialist (PGB1) | Senior HR Specialist (PGB2) | HR Coordinator (PGA2) | HR Generalist (PGA3) | HR Associate (PGA1) |
| Senior HR Specialist (PGB2) | Administrator, HR Services (PGB3) | HR Generalist (PGA3) |
| Administrator, HR Services (PGB3) | Director, HR Services (PGB4) | HR Manager (PGA4) |
| Director, HR Services (PGB4) | Senior Director, HR Services (PGB5) |
| Senior Director, HR Services (PGB5) | Snr Director,HR Policy & Admin (PGP1) | Senior HR Director (PGA6) |
Behavioral Health Professional (job codes starting with "PJA")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Behavioral Health Professional Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| Psychiatric Nursing Asst I (GC79) | Nursing Assistant (GC03) | Behavioral Health Coordinator (PJA1) |
| Psychiatric Nursing Asst I (GC79) | Nursing Assistant (GC03) | Behavioral Health Coordinator (PJA1) | Behavioral Health Consultant (PJA2) |
| Behavioral Health Consultant (PJA2) | Social Worker II (PD27) | Social Worker I (PD28) | Senior Behavioral Health Consultant (PJA3) |
| Sr Behavioral Hlth Consultant (PJA3) | Social Work Specialist I (PD25) | Social Worker III (PD26) | Behavioral Health Manager (PJA4) |
| Behavioral Health Manager (PJA4) | Behavioral Health Director (PJA5) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Behavioral Health Professional Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| Behavioral Health Coordinator (PJA1) | Behavioral Health Consultant (PJA2) |
| Behavioral Health Consultant (PJA2) | Sr Behavioral Hlth Consultant (PJA3) | Behavioral Hlth Clinician (PJB2) |
| Senior Behavioral Health Consultant (PJA3) | Behavioral Health Manager (PJA4) |
| Behavioral Health Manager (PJA4) | Behavioral Health Director (PJA5) |
| Behavioral Health Director (PJA5) |
Research Professional (job codes starting with "PRK")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Research Professional Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| Clin Trials Rsrch Asst/Data Mg (PRV1) | Research Assistant (PRK1) |
| Research Assistant (PRK1) | Research Associate (PRK2) |
| Research Associate (PRK2) | Research Specialist (PRK3) |
| Research Associate (PRK2) | Research Specialist (PRK3) | Research Manager (PRK4) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Research Professional Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| Research Assistant (PRK1) | Research Associate (PRK2) | Clin Trials Rsrch Associate (PRV2) | Clin Trials Rsrch Asst/Data Mg (PRV1) |
| Research Associate (PRK2) | Research Specialist (PRK3) | Research Manager (PRK4) | Clin Trials Rsrch Associate (PRV2) | Core Facility Research Prof (PRW2) |
| Research Specialist (PRK3) | Research Manager (PRK4) |
| Research Manager (PRK4) |
Clinical Trial & Data Management Research (job codes starting with "PRV")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| Research Assistant (PRK1) | Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Assistant / Data Manager (PRV1) |
| Clin Trials Rsrch Asst/Data Mg (PRV1) | Research Assistant (PRK1) | Research Associate (PRK2) | Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Associate (PRV2) |
| Clin Trials Rsrch Associate (PRV2) | Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Specialist (PRV3) |
| Clin Trials Rsrch Specialist (PRV3) | Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Manager (PRV4) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Assistant / Data Manager (PRV1) | Clin Trials Rsrch Associate (PRV2) | Research Assistant (PRK1) |
| Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Associate (PRV2) | Clin Trials Rsrch Specialist (PRV3) |
| Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Specialist (PRV3) | Clin Trials Rsrch Manager (PRV4) |
| Clinical Trial & Data Management Research Manager (PRV4) |
Revenue Cycle (job codes starting with "PVC")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Revenue Cycle Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| Patient Account Representative (GB02) | Clinic Services Specialist (PVL2) | Revenue Cycle Coordinator (PVC3) | Coding Representative (PVC2) | Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) |
| Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) | Coding Coordinator (PVC4) | Coding Representative (PVC2) |
| Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) | Revenue Cycle Manager (PVC5) | Revenue Cycle Coordinator (PVC3) |
| Coding Representative (PVC2) | Coding Coordinator (PVC4) |
| Revenue Cycle Coordinator (PVC3) | Coding Coordinator (PVC4) | Revenue Cycle Manager (PVC5) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Revenue Cycle Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) | Revenue Cycle Coordinator (PVC3) | Coding Representative (PVC2) | Clinic Services Specialist (PVL2) | Financial Analyst (PBF2) | Compliance Coordinator (PNB1) |
| Coding Representative (PVC2) | Coding Coordinator (PVC4) | Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) | Compliance Coordinator (PNB1) |
| Revenue Cycle Coordinator (PVC3) | Revenue Cycle Manager (PVC5) |
| Coding Coordinator (PVC4) | Senior Compliance Coordinator (PNB2) | Revenue Cycle Manager (PVC5) | Compliance Coordinator (PNB1) |
| Revenue Cycle Manager (PVC5) |
Patient Services (job codes starting with "PVL")
“Move From” Path: Roles individuals held prior to entering classifications within the Patient Services Job Family.
| “Move From” Path (How do I get there?) | Target Job Family |
|---|---|
| Clerk III (GB12) | Support Services Specialist (PVD1) | Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) | Admin Services Coordinator (PAA1) | Clinical/Technical Specialist (PVA1) | Patient Access Specialist (PVL1) |
| Clerk III (GB12) | Support Services Specialist (PVD1) | Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) | Patient Access Specialist (PVL1) | Admin Services Coordinator (PAA1) | Clerk IV (GB13) | Clinical Technician III (GC28) | Phlebotomy Technician I (GC86) | Clinic Services Specialist (PVL2) |
| Patient Access Specialist (PVL1) | Patient Access Coordinator (PVL3) |
| Clinic Services Specialist (PVL2) | Patient Access Specialist (PVL1) | Clinic Services Coordinator (PVL4) |
| Patient Access Coordinator (PVL3) | Patient Access Manager (PVL5) |
| Clinic Services Coordinator (PVL4) | Clinic Services Manager (PVL6) |
| Patient Access Manager (PVL5) | Patient Access Director (PVL7) |
“Move To” Path: Roles individuals transitioned into after serving in the Patient Services Job Family.
| Current Job Family | “Move To” Path (Where am I headed?) |
|---|---|
| Patient Access Specialist (PVL1) | Patient Access Coordinator (PVL3) | Support Services Specialist (PVD1) | Clinic Services Specialist (PVL2) | Admin Services Coordinator (PAA1) | Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) |
| Clinic Services Specialist (PVL2) | Admin Services Coordinator (PAA1) | Clinic Services Coordinator (PVL4) | Patient Access Specialist (PVL1) | Support Services Specialist (PVD1) | Revenue Cycle Representative (PVC1) |
| Patient Access Coordinator (PVL3) | Patient Access Manager (PVL5) |
| Clinic Services Coordinator (PVL4) | Clinic Services Manager (PVL6) |
| Patient Access Manager (PVL5) | Clinic Services Manager (PVL6) |
| Clinic Services Manager (PVL6) | |
| Patient Access Director (PVL7) |