Gone are the days that a worker stayed with a single company throughout their entire career. Times have changed so much that today, it’s rare to even find workers remaining in a single industry. While just saying this has given many people solace in the unpredictability of their job progression, it’s important to point out the more tangible reasons for this change; some have almost nothing to do with the individual worker.

A 2011 report by the Institute For The Future, “Future Work Skills 2020” talks about drivers of change that are having a significant effect on the reconstruction of the global workforce. These include: extreme longevity (we’re living and working longer), the rise of smart machines and systems (machines that replace workers), a growing computational world (everything is data and that data can be programmed), a new media ecology (new forms of communication), superstructured organizations (small organizations using technology and collaboration tools to organize like larger ones), and the increasingly globally connected world (small markets are standing out as drivers of change). 

In addition to these global factors, workers are benefiting from a higher degree of flexibility in controlling their career paths. As opportunities for educational advancement through degrees and certifications rise, industry options open and become more fluid. Workers go back to school or take on additional roles (freelancing, for example) sometimes in addition to holding down a full-time job. The “grass is greener” anecdote has never been more prevalent. The bottom line: when employees begin to feel undervalued and underpaid, there are opportunities to find fulfillment elsewhere.

The drivers of change mentioned above have created an economy that is constantly in flux. As workers move from position to position, the importance now lies in the development of a well-rounded base of experiences and knowledge, and translating that knowledge to other industries.

If you could impart one bit of advice to new job/career-seekers, what would it be? We’ll be touching on this topic of non-linear careers in subsequent posts, so stay tuned.