Navigating the Modern Career Playground

In the rapidly-evolving landscape of careers, it’s clear that the traditional straight-and-narrow career ladder has become a relic of the past. The modern career path is more akin to a playground, filled with intricate twists, turns, and the freedom to explore. This holds especially true in the design world, where the dynamism and constant evolution of the field make for a career path that’s anything but linear.

In the not distant past, employees would spend an average of two to three decades at a single company, earning promotions primarily based on their tenure. Companies would show loyalty to their long-serving employees, often in the form of retirement benefits or pensions. However, this model is largely antiquated and not generally available in the US where my career has been based. The average tenure at a single job has shrunk to a mere three years, even less for millennials and Gen Z who openly recognise that corporations are not loyal to their employees. The convergence of now five generations in our workplaces creates extreme contrasts in values and perspectives on almost every issue – and younger generations are opting out of antiquated command and control structures.

This shift has transformed the traditional career ladder into what I like to call a ‘career playground’. It’s a space where one might ascend one path, shimmy sideways to another, or even slide into an entirely different section of the park. This playground allows for exploration and the opportunity to wear many hats, a stark contrast to the rigid vertical progression of the past. Even the traditional company lifers (the Baby Boomer generation have a tenure of 10.1 years according to a 2018 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) are redefining their relationships with work post-pandemic seeking fractional roles or playground options.

The challenge now is that there’s no map or blueprint for navigating this playground. Many of the now Millennial-dominant workforce were raised (by boomers) with the expectation of a linear career path: go to college, get a degree, land a job, and move up the ranks. However, this roadmap no longer aligns with the reality of life at work. It’s up to each of us to chart our own course and define what success means on our own terms, not our predecessors. As a Coach, I help my clients expand their mindset on their career possibilities and realign their journey to their values, joy and ambitions in their playgrounds. Grab a no-cost quick chat with me to explore your career options.

In my experience, our managers or bosses won’t have the answers to our career questions. After all, they too are navigating this uncharted terrain, figuring things out as they go. They can provide guidance and open doors, but they’re most able to support your goals when you’ve at least roughly defined what you’re looking for.

As we navigate this career playground, it’s crucial to remember that it’s not about fitting into predefined roles or levels but about carving out our unique path. Consider transferrable skills regardless of your root discipline. Build a portfolio of experiences that allow you to specialize while maintaining the ability to zoom back out to generalist all-round impact. Try small companies, and big corporations. Experience a merger, from both sides. Learn from a discipline leader and their craft, then opt for reverse mentoring from a social native in a generation not your own.

The modern career landscape may be complex, but it’s also ripe with opportunity for those willing to play, explore, and define their own success.

Try these Coaching Prompts to expand your awareness of your playground:

• What do I most enjoy learning about that will compliment and expand my core skillsets?

• How can I build and maintain my professional network to open possibilities I may not yet be aware of?

• If I think BIG about the possibilities of my career – what are my wildest dreams?

• What does “career” mean to me as an individual? How does this express my values and bring me satisfaction.