Career Flexibility Considerations

Gone are the days of a linear career path. Not long ago, the idea of a successful career followed a simple formula: Choose a study field > land a job > climb the ladder > retire. But today, career paths are anything but linear. More professionals are weaving between industries, blending their passions and redefining success. I went from climbing the corporate ladder as an Accountant, to taking a leap into tech and creativity — aligning my career with my passions and purpose. At school, I gravitated towards structure and logic, which led me to study accounting. It seemed like a practical and stable choice — one that promised job security and a clear trajectory. But at the same time, I craved the creativity I found through studying art, IT and photography. So I decided to pursue a double degree in business and design. While studying at uni I kickstarted my career at an accounting firm, getting a head start in the corporate world. Meanwhile on the design side, a Fine Arts assignment led me to launch my photography side hustle. I soon found myself fitting creativity into the margins of my finance career and defying the belief that Accountants couldn’t be creative. I knew I had more to give beyond a traditional corporate career, but I wasn’t sure how to blend my skills and passions in a way that felt authentic. Then came the opportunity to work at Canva. This was one of those sliding doors moments. I found my sweet spot at a company that is values-driven and where I could contribute to doing good in the world, while seamlessly merging my analytical and creative skillsets. The transition from corporate to tech was huge, but it unlocked a whole new level of growth. I now apply my financial expertise while being surrounded by creativity, innovation and a culture that encourages out-of-the-box thinking. If you’re feeling stuck or considering a career pivot, here is some advice: — Your passions matter. If you feel pulled in multiple directions, explore your intuition. Unexpected opportunities may follow. — Skills are transferable.  The analytical thinking I developed in public practice helped me thrive in tech, just as my creative background has shaped my approach to problem-solving. — Side hustles can open doors.  My photography business isn’t just a creative outlet — it has built entrepreneurial skills, connections, and confidence. — Growth happens outside your comfort zone.  The world of tech was unknown, but taking the leap led to profound learning and career development. — You don’t have to have it all figured out.  Each challenge offers learning and adds to your story. You know I love a unique personal brand! Your career doesn’t have to fit into a box — there’s value in taking the unconventional path. If you’re currently navigating a career change or thinking about one, I’d love to hear your story and help unblock your next step. Photo taken on my third day at Canva — which seems like a lifetime ago!

The Career Lattice: Moving Beyond "Up or Out"? Many of us were taught to think of career development as a ladder. That our bosses job was our next job. The one-way path where progress means moving up. But in today’s work landscape, it just doesn’t fit as well. → The modern career journey is more like a lattice than a ladder. People are making career pivots, taking on new roles, and exploring different areas, and the career lattice supports this flexibility. For workplaces and People & Culture Managers, the lattice model is about more than just upward promotions. It’s a way to support growth in multiple directions: moving sideways, taking on new responsibilities, or even stepping into different areas. → It means teams need to focus on building the people skills that support career flexibility — like communication, creativity, and adaptability. The lattice means thinking less about getting your boss’s job and more about building experiences that match your motivation, interest areas and goals. It’s a way to make work interesting and about growth, not just climbing because it feels expected. This isn’t a new concept, it’s just not the dominant approach. The career lattice approach offers flexibility, supports lateral moves, upskilling and reskilling and more personalised career paths — and that feels like a better fit for what we all want from work today. Image from Australian HR Institute (AHRI)

Navigating career paths isn't always a straight line, and that's perfectly okay. Sometimes, the detours and pivots lead to the most rewarding opportunities. Even if you’re considering a shift or have already made one, remember that exploring new directions is a strength, not a setback. Why Pivoting is Powerful: → Broaden Your Skills: Each new direction brings unique experiences and skills that can enhance your overall career. → Discover New Passions: A change can reveal interests and talents you might not have discovered otherwise. → Expand Your Network: Different roles and industries introduce you to new people and opportunities. → Find Fulfillment: Sometimes, the path you start on isn’t the one that leads to true satisfaction. Embrace the change and seek what truly drives you. What’s one unexpected career change that led to new opportunities for you? Share your story in the comments!

Most people think career diversity is career suicide. They're wrong. Single-path careers are the real risk. Emily Jones Joanisse proves it. Programmer. DJ. Nonprofit founder. 2008 crisis killed her Italian tech job. She didn't panic. She had options. Here's how she built a bulletproof career: 1. Build Skills That Travel Anywhere Emily learned programming young. Wrote scripts for her physicist father. Studied computer science. Worked across countries. Crisis hit. Job gone. She pivoted to teaching tech to children. Same core skill. Different stage. Americans change jobs 12 times by age 55 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Portable skills survive. Specialized roles don't. Your move: What skills transfer anywhere? 2. Keep Your Creative Lane Alive Emily started DJing during her degree. Not a side hustle. A second identity. Canada to Europe. Milan hotel residencies. "It gave me community, confidence, and connection." She built networks her programming job never could. Creative paths open different doors. One-third of Americans ages 25-44 completely changed fields since their first job (edX survey). Your move: What creative outlet could become more? 3. Combine Your Lanes for Unique Impact 2018: Emily co-founded Connected Canadians. Free tech support for seniors. "I saw older adults struggle with digital tools." Teaching experience + programming background = solution nobody else saw. Your intersections create value competitors can't copy. Your move: What problems only your combination can solve? 4. Start Your Second Path Before You Need It Don't wait for the layoffs. Emily built DJing alongside programming. Each path supported the other. When tech crashed, music kept her afloat. When gigs were slow, coding paid the bills. 83% of workers now prioritize work-life balance over pay (High5Test research). They want options. Not just paychecks. Your move: Start exploring while you have security. Range is resilience. Multiple paths don't dilute your career. They bulletproof it. ♻️ Share this with someone stuck in one lane 🔔 Follow Kabir Sehgal for more

MOM RETURNERS: The Traditional Career Path Isn't Your Only Option Returning to work after kids can feel daunting if the 9-to-5 grind doesn't fit your reality. But there's an empowering alternative - building your own "portfolio career." A portfolio career is a customized mix of income streams tailored to your talents and lifestyle. It allows you to diversify rather than putting all eggs in one basket. You get to design the perfect work-life blend. The appeal resonates with so many moms I speak with who have lingering passions or side hustle ideas like: • The accountant helping her husband's business who could offer financial services locally • The former lead generator exploring starting her own marketing agency • The sales-oriented mom considering dropshipping businesses Unknowingly, I've built my own portfolio career through freelance writing, consulting, monetizing hobbies like my sewing business, growing a LinkedIn following of 25K+, and potential coaching and speaking opportunities. A portfolio career blends gig work, freelancing, passions, creator economy roles, and more. The benefits? Flexibility, diversified income, exploring varied interests, and being your own boss. The possibilities are endless for crafting your own customized career path. If you're an intrigued returner mom, DM me PORTFOLIO so we can discuss. Don't let motherhood limit your career ambitions. You can merge your talents with your lifestyle needs in an empowering way.

Are the days of climbing a career ladder over? For some of us it’s time to think beyond a single path or specialty. In this week’s episode of Stop the Noise, I talked with Lindsey Lerner, Partner at Generalist World and host of Generally Curious. Lindsey’s “squiggly” career path—from photography to tour management to building communities—illustrates the power of stacking skills and embracing strategic flexibility. At Generalist World, Lindsey helps professionals leverage their unique mix of experiences to tackle complex problems. To Lindsey, being a generalist isn’t about being scattered—it’s about creating value through adaptability and diverse perspectives. Here are some key insights she shared during our conversation: > Rethink Generalist vs. Specialist: It’s not either/or. Generalists solve problems by translating insights across industries and stacking complementary skills. > The 4 Cs Framework: Identify your Core, Complementary, Compassion, and Context skills to craft a unique value proposition that stands out. > Tell Better Stories: Don’t just describe what you do—use real examples to show the results you’ve delivered. > Focus Your Energy: Align with work that excites you, and say no to what doesn’t. Curious about how generalists thrive and create impact? Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/g8PPWHw2 Don’t let outdated career labels limit you. Let’s Stop the Noise and embrace what makes you truly valuable.

I used to think having multiple career interests meant I lacked focus. I was wrong. In finance, we diversify portfolios to manage uncertainty. Why do we insist on betting our entire careers on a single future? What if considering multiple career paths isn't a sign of indecision—but a sign of intentional design? Many of us were taught that careers should follow a straight line: Study one thing. Choose one profession. Climb one ladder. But life rarely works that way. Our interests evolve. Industries change. New opportunities emerge. Sometimes the person we become no longer fits the path we started on. Yet many talented professionals stay stuck because they believe changing direction means starting over. It doesn't. One of the most valuable frameworks I've encountered for navigating uncertainty comes from design thinking. It's called the Odyssey Plan, developed by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans in the Stanford Design Program and featured in the book Designing Your Life. Instead of asking: "What's the one perfect future for me?" The Odyssey Plan asks: "What are several meaningful futures I could create?" The exercise challenges you to design three parallel versions of your next five years: Plan A: The Current Trajectory The path you're already on. What happens if you continue building on your existing experience, skills, and momentum? Plan B: The Pivot Imagine your current role, industry, or career path disappeared tomorrow. What would you build next using your transferable skills, interests, and experience? Plan C: The Wildcard If money, status, and the judgments of others didn't matter at all, what would you do? What problem would you solve? What would you create? What would you spend your time doing? Here's what surprised me: The goal isn't to pick the "right" plan. The goal is to realize that there is rarely only one future available to you. When we stop searching for certainty and start exploring possibilities, career transitions become less intimidating and far more creative. So if you're feeling stuck, don't ask yourself which path is perfect. Ask yourself: What are three futures I would be excited to build? You may discover that your next chapter isn't hidden behind a single decision. It's hidden behind permission to imagine more than one possibility. Have you ever created an Odyssey Plan? What would your Plan C look like? #NonLinearCareer #DesigningYourLife

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” 🤨 Sounds innocent, but as Michelle Obama points out, it suggests a child's future is a single lane instead of an open road. I hear a similar worry from early-career creatives all the time: “I have to pick one thing and stick to it.” Here’s the truth: Being a creative, especially early in your career, is all about exploration. You’ll never stop learning, experimenting, or evolving. There will always be space to: 🌀 Explore new skills and industries 🌀 Specialize deeply when you’re ready 🌀 Wear all the hats to discover where your talent shines 🌀 And when you’ve done a bit of everything, you actually become a stronger collaborator because you can understand more steps of the creative process and can see projects from multiple perspectives. 🧘🏽 So if you’re feeling pressured to “pick one thing,” take a breath. 🌼 You’re allowed to build a career that’s dynamic, layered, and constantly growing. After all, that's the true beauty of the creative path. 💙

Recruiter: “So… are you a Business Analyst or an entrepreneur?” Me: “Yes.” 😅 If you’ve ever worn multiple hats at once, you know the struggle. By day I’m a Business Analyst; by night, a freelance UX designer; on weekends, I run a small e-commerce side business. My LinkedIn profile is a mixed bag of titles, and it often raises eyebrows. Reactions? I’ve seen them all. Recruiters hesitate, unsure if I’m committed to one path. Colleagues joke, “Which job are you doing today?” Hiring managers double-take at my resume, trying to fit me into a neat category. Meanwhile, I fought my own inner battle: Am I unfocused or just multifaceted? Should I tone it down and stick to one title? 🤔 Over time, I reframed my story. Being a multipotentialite isn’t a weakness—it’s my superpower. My diverse skills allow me to connect dots others miss. Experience in one field sparks creative solutions in another. I’ve become adaptable and quick to learn, with a broader network to show for it. Of course, juggling different roles has its challenges (hello, identity crisis and the occasional 80-hour week), but the growth and excitement are worth it. In a world that often tells us to “niche down,” I’m embracing the power of being multidimensional. Instead of conforming to one rigid label, I’m owning all of my identities. And I encourage you to do the same. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you have to dim parts of yourself to fit a job description. Your multifaceted career is not a liability – it’s an asset, and the future of work needs people who can wear many hats. So here’s to the jugglers, the slash-career professionals, the curious ones. Keep embracing your unconventional path with pride. You are more than a job title – and that is a good thing. #CareerGrowth #BusinessAnalysis #Multipotentialite #FutureOfWork