Career Development

The Squiggly Career

Name: The Squiggly Career
Rating: 4.8 (1000 reviews)
Author: Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis

Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis

30 minAudio9 insights

What you'll learn

•Understand the concept of the squiggly career and how traditional career paths have evolved.
•Identify and develop your super strengths to maximize career satisfaction and impact.
•Discover your core values and use them to guide authentic career decisions.
•Build and maintain confidence by managing limiting beliefs and leveraging support systems.
•Create and nurture a meaningful professional network based on giving and receiving value.
•Explore future career possibilities with curiosity and adaptability to future-proof your career.
•Apply practical strategies to balance work and life according to your unique needs.

Who should read this

✓Early-career professionals seeking direction
✓Mid-career individuals facing change or uncertainty
✓Managers and leaders wanting to support team development
✓Anyone interested in personal growth and career fulfillment

About this book

A practical guide to navigating modern, non-linear careers by developing strengths, values, confidence, networks, and future possibilities.

Did You Know?

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The concept of the 'squiggly career' reflects the reality that most people change jobs or roles multiple times, often in unpredictable ways.

2 more facts available in the app

Audio Summary

Section 1

Embracing the New Shape of Careers

3:45

10 Sections

Preview: Embracing the New Shape of Careers

Imagine a world where the career ladder you once climbed no longer exists. Instead, you find yourself on a winding, unpredictable path — a squiggly career. This is the reality for most of us today. The days of a straightforward, linear career progression are gone. Careers have become more complex, diverse, and fluid. We live in a time where five generations work side by side, from traditionalists who continue beyond retirement age to the youngest digital natives entering the workforce. This rich tapestry of ages and experiences means that no single approach to career development fits all. Personal ownership of your career has become essential.

Consider that an average person will spend approximately 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime. That staggering figure highlights the importance of designing a career that not only supports your financial needs but also brings personal fulfillment and happiness. Yet, the work environment is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous — often described as VUCA. This means that the skills and roles you have today may shift or disappear tomorrow. Adaptability, curiosity, and continuous learning are no longer optional but vital career skills.

The traditional nine-to-five office job is fading, replaced by flexible schedules and remote work options. Technology enables us to work anywhere, anytime, but this also creates challenges like the 'always on' culture, where boundaries between work and personal life blur. Designing your own operating system — how, when, and where you work — is key to maintaining balance and productivity.

Finally, the question of 'why' we work has evolved. Work is no longer just about earning a paycheck; it has become a core part of our identity and a source of purpose. Many seek careers that align with their values and passions, not just titles or salaries. Discovering your personal why is a compass for making fulfilling career decisions in a squiggly world.

As you embark on this journey through the squiggly career, remember that no one cares about your career as much as you do. Your reflection, self-awareness, and commitment to learning will be your greatest assets. Let's now move forward to uncovering how to identify and harness your unique super strengths to thrive in this new landscape.