KA S/O
The job of Second Officer in KA is vastly different from Cathay. In Cathay they are primarily relief pilots, but KA S/Os sit in the RHS like any other F/O and operates the aircraft. After a year as an S/O they are promoted to JF/O. I've observed that the main difference between an S/O and (J)F/O in KA are the weather restrictions in which they are allowed to operate the aircraft, and obviously seniority and salary as well. If my memory serves me right, only ex-cadets became S/Os in KA, all Direct Entry expats became F/Os upon joining.
That is why you will find S/Os on both the A320/1 and A330 fleets in KA, flying to all ports in the KA network. I'm not exactly sure about career progression there, but speaking from logic it should be quicker at KA, as they have less pilots on the seniority ladder.