Hey, so here we go. This is me, just rambling (in a good way) about Jobs & Career Paths—like if we were sitting in a café, sipping something semi-decent, maybe my thoughts wandering, but full of hope and reality checks.
1. Careers aren’t ladders anymore—more like…squiggles
Remember the idea that you’d pick a career, climb the ladder, and end up at the top? Yeah, that’s so old-school. Now, the path is more squiggly—you go sideways sometimes, you pivot, you loop back, and sometimes take a pause or reassess. It’s okay. In fact, it might be way better.
Several life stories now show people skipping uni and diving into apprenticeships, or switching industries completely—and doing just fine. One young woman avoided student debt, jumped into an apprenticeship, and by her early twenties had landed well-paid roles and even bought a house. Another friend of a friend took a degree-apprenticeship with IBM, earned while she learned, traveled, led projects, and now works in UX without the usual debt cloud.
There are also posts listing “squiggly careers” that don’t need a degree yet pay well—roles like plumbers, carpenters, or drivers that you can train into through apprenticeships or bootcamps and still hit pretty great salary milestones. These paths show you don’t have to follow the crowd to succeed.
2. Hold a lot more jobs than you think—and that’s fine
You know that feeling when you think everyone else has it together, and you’ve hopped jobs a bunch already? You’re probably normal. Like, statistically, people hold around 12 jobs in their lifetime on average. Millennials and Gen Z might even hold fewer—but still, it’s not one job from 9 to 5 until retirement. Career zig-zagging is kinda the norm now.
Even within a single lifetime, job tenure changes a lot. When we’re younger, we hold jobs for short stretches—sometimes under a year. As we age, tenure gets longer. But still, hopping around is totally normal. I mean, only a tiny fraction of people ever stay in one job forever these days.
3. Why zig-zagging might actually be awesome
Think of your career like exploring a forest rather than marching up a hill. You try a few paths, maybe find a hidden waterfall, then pivot toward a view you didn’t expect. That’s zigzagging.
Here’s why it can be better than climbing straight up:
- Broader skills: You pick up tools from different places—what makes you more adaptable and interesting to other folks too.
- Creative mash-ups: Working across different areas helps you connect dots other people don’t even see.
- Never bored: Staying curious and open keeps things fresh.
- Big network: Meeting people from lots of areas opens doors in surprising ways.
- Standout factor: Employers sometimes love someone who’s versatile, not someone ticking boxes.
Of course, you might feel some pressure to say “I know what I’m doing.” But you totally can lean into the narrative of growth, curiosity, and intentional choice—rather than random job-hopping.
4. Apprenticeships = unsung heroes
Here’s a nugget that feels weirdly under-appreciated: apprenticeships. Especially degree apprenticeships. They let you earn while you learn, often with employers covering tuition, travel, accommodation. And you come out with real experience under your belt.
One person I read about wanted to avoid university debt—did a design internship/apprenticeship, got paid, studied one week a month, led meetings fast, and traveled to work with other teams. That’s not a sidestep—it’s a legit, smart career launch.
Parents are even starting to push apprenticeships over uni, now that student debt is insane and job returns for grads are fading for some. So consider this: following the “apprenticeship vibe” is not second-best—it’s strategic.
5. Rethinking “upward” – sideways can still be forward
Climbing isn’t the only way up. There’s this idea called “job crafting” where you shift your current role a little—add projects, collaborate with new teams, reshape your work to align with what interests you. It’s like renovating your space rather than moving.
You can literally craft a gig that’s more you. And if you match your skills with where the company is going, you might get pulled toward new roles you didn’t know existed—without needing permission or job change protocols. Internally mobile companies are all about that skill-based match now.
6. Plan small experiments, not big leaps
Ever feel like you’re supposed to figure your whole career from one big life decision? Bonus points if you stop feeling that way.
Try “career experiments” instead—tiny strokes of exploration. Volunteer to lead a project, do a shadow day with someone in another team, offer to speak at an event about something you care about. You don’t have to apply to a job just to figure out if you like doing it.
These mini tests point you toward what feels less like work and more like you. Plus, failure at small scale doesn’t crush you—it teaches you.
7. Be open to help—and AI—but keep your voice
AI tools are definitely part of the game now. They can help with ideas, writing draft resumé bullet points, brainstorming career directions. But please don’t let them hijack your voice. When everything starts sounding polished and “safe,” recruiters tune out. You want your values, curiosity, and personality to come through.
Seek mentors—formal or informal. Even someone 5 years ahead in a slightly different role can give you unwritten insights. And if you can, find a coach or counselor who can help map things out—not to decide for you—but to illuminate what your instincts are whispering.
8. Reflect regularly (but don’t overthink)
One of the greatest traps: thinking your interests or values are fixed. They shift. Revisit your “why.” What did you enjoy last year? What drains you now? That stuff evolves—so checking in helps you pivot before burnout sets in.
All of this reflection and self-kindness is not fluff—it’s part of building a fulfilling path.
9. Wraps with messy gratitude and encouragement
So—there it is. This career map is messy, intentional, unpredictable, yet beautiful.
We don’t start with clarity; we gather it from mini-moves, pivots, rejections, “uh-mms,” and curiosity. If you look back in ten years and realize you drifted, zig-zagged, and found your way—that’s a win.
If you’re feeling stuck, annoyed, or like you’ve wasted time—maybe you learned what doesn’t work. That’s valid. It’s part of the ride. And if you’re excited about a side project, even a tiny one, maybe lean into that spark.
Here’s the human truth: success is not just promotion or fancy title—it’s peace, energy, joy, and a sense that what you do matters to you. Your path—imperfect, unexpected, winding—is yours. Let’s celebrate that.
