Thoughts on the Permanency of Career Paths

Career paths are garbage. 

Now, before you go blowing up my comments section hear me out. I mean for me. Career paths are garbage for me. 

If you're someone who can stay at a single company for thirty years or who has only ever wanted to do one thing, they're more gold than garbage. But if you're like me and the thought of limiting yourself to a single subject is nauseating...then it's all rubbish. 

If I were to make a list of all the things I want to be at this exact moment in time it'd probably take at least a full page. 

• RN
• Scientist
• Freelance Writer
• Investigator
• Novelist
• Office Manager
• Dispatcher
• Tech Account Coordinator
• College Professor
• Marine Biologist

Just to name a few. At 36 years old I can't imagine devoting an intense number of years towards becoming any one thing. Life changes. My career should be able to change with it. 

Flexibility is celebrated in the modern job market and employment gaps are on their way to explainable in resume format. But job hopping and career hopping? A hiring taboo. 

A company wants longevity and rightly so. They're investing time and resources in training and development. Do Job 'A' for so long and earn Job 'B'. Do well with 'B' and progress to 'C'. Prove yourself through the alphabet and retire at 'Z'. 

But what if I don't want to work the alphabet alone? What if I'm intrigued by colors and numbers and shapes too? Should I have to pick one?

Logistically and financially the answer is yes, I do. Our current higher education system doesn't align well with a change of heart. Degrees are expensive and years of experience pay below livable wage. Most adults only have the ability to change their professional minds maybe once. 

So shouldn't our resources reflect that?

If you're going to shuttle me toward a probably permanent choice at age 18, shouldn't you also take the time to thoroughly explain my options and the ramifications. Talk to me about how bored I'm going to be in five years. Or how fast the cost-of-living will outpace my salary.

Expose me to jobs I don't even know exist yet. I guarantee I'm going to want to do them all. 

Don't sell me a career path. A single entry that absolutely won't fill me up.

Sell me a career buffet. Let me taste a little bit of everything. I'll decide what I want to eat. I'll decide if I want a little bit more. And I'll decide when I'm done. 

Brittany