Internal promotions are more common than what people think. I mean it probably varies by district, but in my district in the past 6 months have internally promoted 6 or 7 to ETL and theres probably 5 more that are going through the process right now. They do require a 4 year degree, but if that is something you are working on that might work in your favor too. The only thing that can potentially hold an internal promote back, is that the district wants wants you/expects you to know EVERYTHING ALREADY. So my suggestion would be too, 1) make sure your stepping outside your work center as often as possible. 2) Dazzle your STL and ETL's. If you don't have their support, forget it. Your toast! 3) Remember to "drink" the red "Koolade" by also be yourself. They really can tell when people are being fake. 4) Get yourself a Mentor outside of your building, the more you can put your name out there, the better your going to be.. I could go on and on so I'm stopping now before I write a novel.