The creation of compelling career paths not only facilitates a technical
employee’s professional and personal development but also fosters the
retention of technical talent. Best-practice organizations recognize that
technical talent often desires to continue in technical careers with the
organization but without necessarily taking on the associated managerial
responsibility. These organizations have therefore created technical
career paths or ladders that often mirror the managerial career path in
rewards and expertise but allow technical talent to continue to grow
in technical careers with the organization.