Hi,
I would very much appreciate a confirmation on which is the correct grammar in this sentence:
After having rapidly risen to a management position from what was once a part-time job to help pay for college, I intend to start at entry-level in the field where my true interests lie, the field of Urban Planning, Development and Design.
or is it, "After rapidly rising..." You can say either. The perfect participle ('after having . . . risen. . .') stresses more that you completed your rise and enjoyed the results (or 'had the results') of the rise for some period of time. My preference is for the perfect participle, as it suggests to me that you are methodical and thoughtful.
Best wishes, Clive