In the professions, career advancement should not be left to random occurrences in the workplace. Purposeful steps can be taken to make sure that a person doesn't stagnate in the same position. With planning and purpose, one can move through various steps in a career without interruption, and with greater speed than would be normal.

"The Learning Curve" discusses the lessons learned by David Todd in his forty years as a practicing civil engineer. The suggestions, if followed, will put someone working in one of the professions in a better place to advance quickly, faster than their peers who aren't following steps such as these.