As a society, we often label those of us who never seem quite satisfied with our job descriptions as lazy and indecisive, and at worst, completely irresponsible. In today’s economy, holding down a steady job appears to be everyone’s main goal, and the people who quit their jobs to pursue other interests are taking way more risk than anyone rightfully should.
Right? Not exactly.
Having a detailed, slightly-inconsistent résumé might seem like a hinderance to you career plans, but in truth, there are a lot of benefits to exploring your options and trying new things.
Here’s why you shouldn’t immediately write off the idea of holding multiple careers in your lifetime:
The Current Economic Model Practically Encourages It
The days of company loyalty and back pensions are really a thing of the past. Unless you’re employed by a government agency or a particularly traditional establishment, your retirement will likely be dictated by a 401(k), and as such, you’ll be able to roll over the money you’ve saved regardless of where you’re employed at any given time.
You’ll Be Well-Rounded
When you dip your toes into several different specialities, your talents and skills tend to snowball. While you may think an employer would frown at seeing an inconsistent résumé, in reality, most companies are eager to hire an employee who stands out from the bunch. If you can boast success within a variety of fields over a certain period, you’ll appear a lot more unique than many of the other candidates.
You’ll Be a Generally More Interesting Person to Talk To
Who is always the most interesting person in the room? The person who’s taken a ton of risks in his or her professional life and lived to tell the long and glorious tale. No one wants to hear about the forty years you spent chained to the same desk; they want to hear all about how you quit your job as a corporate lawyer to teach underprivileged children English in South America.
One Career Can Offer Perspective On Another
Considering segueing into a more “niche” aspect of the career you already hold? The experience you’ve earned in a related field will probably help you a lot more than you think. For example, if you’re already employed in an art gallery, you may eventually discover that you have a lot of talent caring for and preserving pieces. There’s a huge market for your various skills, and there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t explore them all.
You’ll Have a Better Idea of What You Want and What You’re Good At
If you’re worried you made a mistake in choosing the career that you did, don’t fret–it really isn’t the end of the world. Life involves exploring your options, and your professional history is no exception to this rule. In order to discover the field in which you truly belong, you may need to try a few other options out first.
