verb

help the progress or development of (something); promote.

he had depended on using them to further his own career

promote,advance,forward,develop,stimulate,facilitate,aid,assist,help,help along,lend a hand to,abet,expedite,hasten,speed up,accelerate,step up,spur on,oil the wheels of,push,give a push to,boost,encourage,cultivate,nurture,succour,back,contribute to,foster,champion