Learn English – Word for “makes progress towards?”

If one has a goal, then one can say that certain activities make progress towards that goal, lead to completion of the goal.

Is there a concise word for "is relevant to, makes progress towards [a goal]?"

Examples:

We can say something that does not make progress is "irrelevant," or "orthogonal." But to say that something "is relevant to" a goal does not convey a strong sense of direct involvement and utility.

The ideal level of strength for the word is equivalent to "makes direct progress towards" if not "completes a necessary requirement of."

We want to say something like "I want to become a doctor, and going to medical school makes progress towards becoming a doctor. Medical school is a (progressive?) activity."

Words like "advance" and "benefit" are close but seem too awkward or general:

• "I want to become a doctor, and going to medical school advances becoming a doctor. Medical school is an (…advanciful? Kidding.) activity."
• "I want to become a dcotor, and going to medical school benefits becoming a doctor. Medical school is a (benenficial?) activity.