Careers & credentials · for students

CLIMB THE

2 career journeys drawn step by step — from the first shift to the top job. See how long each rung takes, what you do there, and what to study to reach the next one.

All paths Make it Pour it Sell it Stock it Teach it Run it

How to read this. Each card is one rung. Climb from left to right. Times are typical, not promises; people jump rungs, change sectors and take detours. Tap a job title or credential for the full description.

Stock it · Retail, buying & trade

SHOP ASSISTANT TO HEAD BUYER

The route into buying, importing and trading: begin in a shop, finish choosing what a nation drinks.

1 1–2 years Shop Assistant
Help customers, restock, learn what sells and why.

Gain Customer care, basic product knowledge. WSET Level 1 or 2.
Credential →
2 2–4 years Retail Specialist / Wine Merchant
Advise customers, run tastings, manage a section and make small buying choices.

Gain WSET Level 3, hosting tastings, stock management.
Job description →Credential →
3 3–6 years Buyer
Choose and negotiate the range with producers and importers; manage margin and stock.

Gain Negotiation, forecasting, palate and numbers.
Job description →
4 4+ years Head of Buying / Category Director
Own a whole category, supplier strategy and pricing across the business.

Gain Leadership, commercial strategy.
Job description →
5 Career-long Importer / Distributor Director
Run or own the company that brings brands into a country.

Gain Licensing, logistics, finance, relationships.
Job description →

Or branch out to Auction Specialist →Open your own shop

Stock it · Retail, buying & trade

CATALOGUER TO AUCTION DIRECTOR

For collectors’ minds: authenticating, valuing and selling rare bottles at the world’s top auction houses.

1 1–3 years Cataloguer / Junior Researcher
Photograph, describe and research lots; learn how to spot fakes and condition issues.

Gain Detailed knowledge, writing, patience. WSET Level 3.
Credential →
2 3–5 years Auction Specialist
Source consignments, advise sellers and buyers, build private collector relationships.

Gain Market knowledge, provenance, trust.
Job description →
3 4+ years Head of Department
Lead the wine or whisky department, set strategy for sales and consignments.

Gain Leadership, negotiation, reputation.
Job description →
4 Career-long International Director
Direct sales and client relations across regions; represent the house to the world’s collectors.

Gain Global network and credibility.
Job description →Credential →

Or branch out to Private Collection AdvisorWine Investment Fund

Good to know

Time in each step. Estimates for full-time work; part-time study and moving between countries change them.
Qualifications are signals. A certificate rarely replaces experience, but it can shorten how long a rung takes.
Pay and titles differ. The same job can be called something else in another country or company.
Legal drinking age and licences apply. Check local rules, which in India vary by state.

Ready to start?Compare every certification→