Preparing for a job that doesn’t exist

Technology is changing every industry from financial services to construction. Few industries have seen as much change as the music business. Technology has not only changed the way people consume music, but it has completely transformed the business models of the industry participants.

In any industry that is transforming, careers are created as new opportunities emerge. But the career pathways to those evolving opportunities are rarely well marked and may be untrod. Navigating a path that doesn’t currently exist requires patience in knowing that the job you will have in five or ten years may not exist today. Success is not simply following the paths of others but watching as new paths emerge and seizing the moment. Positioning yourself for future success is a process of understanding the industries well enough to see the change and knowing how incentives and business models will evolve.

?In my recent interview with Rachel Whitney, Spotify’s Head of Editorial for the Nashville-based music market, she described her career as one of invention. “All of the jobs I had, didn’t exist before I had them. I was the first person to have every job that I have had since 2007.” She recounted that she always knew she wanted a career in the music business. Observing that the industry was evolving in a way that few people understood, she decided to return to graduate school to build a foundation for what lay ahead. “Business school helped me understand… the history … and also wrap my head around the incentives of different companies, how organizations are structured and can be structured … to create opportunities. It set me up really well to be in a space where you are always looking ahead. “

?Now with over a decade in the business, Rachel has forged her dream career at the intersection of music and technology. ?She outlined advice that is useful for anyone seeking a career in a rapidly changing industry.

• ?Be flexible and ready for change. Remember, the job you will have in ten years may not exist today.
• ?Stay curious. Learn the industry and build your business knowledge. Opportunities come to those who prepare and analyze the changes happening all around them.
• ?Don’t get too caught up in day-to-day struggles. The work will evolve, so be patient.
• ?Be a team player—show up with a good attitude and be the first to be helpful. This will take you far in any career.

The secret to success is allowing yourself to live in the uncertainty of change while constantly watching and learning. To hear more from my interview with Rachel Whitney, watch the video below. We discuss the evolving music business, the impact of internet technologies from streaming to social media, and lessons for success in any industry experiencing rapid change.