How to transfer to a different department within the company?

Nyblizzard

What would be the best way to do this without looking bad to your previous boss/potential new one? Especially when the departments are in very close proximity.

MeanDrunkR2D2

Be open about it. Hopefully you have built a good rapport with your manager and you have a discussion with him on how you can move up and into the field/department you really want to be in. If you are a good employee, he won't want to let you go, but will understand that a person should want/strive to improve themselves and would think of what is best for the company and could help facilitate you moving into that department. Being open and honest is a good thing in the business world and one should not be afraid to strive to improve and move up. They will understand and if they like you and your work ethic they'll do whatever they can to help facilitate that. If you are a great employee, they'd rather keep you in the company even if it means you will go to another department. Otherwise, they'll know that they would have a hard time keeping you on should you get tired of your current role and have no opportunities to move up and just stay in the same job for years.