To 'go through the ranks' or 'rise through the ranks' means to begin a career with very little power or authority and to gain more over time. This is a popular idiomatic expression used in both social and professional contexts.

1. The fans of the football club had a special connection to David because he was a local lad who had come up through the ranks of the youth teams before hitting the big time.

1. Jack may have started at an entry level position within the company, but due to his talent, it wasn't long before he began moving swiftly through the ranks.

1. The Board decided to promote Helen to the position because she had risen through the ranks of the company and knew the ropes, whereas the other candidate would have been an outside appointment.