Managed a career (3)
I believe the answer is:
ran
'managed a career' is the definition.
'ran' can be an answer for 'managed' (I've seen this before). I'm unsure of the 'a career' bit.
'managed a' is the wordplay.
'managed' becomes 'r' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a' becomes 'an'.
'r'+'an'='RAN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ran that I've seen before include "Tore" , "Entered (a race)" , "Operated; hurried" , "Stood for election or managed" , "travelled fast" .)