Careerism is the practice of prioritizing personal career advancement above all else — often at the expense of integrity, truth, or the collective good.

In academic and medical contexts, it refers to:

*The pursuit of titles, promotions, publications, or prestige-driven accomplishments that serve one's own professional image rather than the actual advancement of knowledge, patient care, or institutional purpose.*

• Publishing for the sake of metrics rather than substance
• Attending or organizing conferences mainly for visibility or networking, not for real learning
• Aligning with dominant views not out of conviction, but to maintain status or funding

Careerism is when the ladder becomes more important than the destination.