What if you don't have a career development path?

No career development? It's not the end of the world. And, I can relate.

In our fast-changing world with what people are calling the gig economy and the post-COVID reality, increasing numbers of us white-collar workers in the knowledge economy of this information age, many of us have to be agile and adaptable with our marketable skills. Jobs and careers that used to last a lifetime, even for a tenured professor, is no longer a guarantee. (Come to think of it, those who are doctors and some healthcare professionals could keep doing what they're doing for a lifetime, but even there, I've noticed doctors who don't stay in the same career position for life, right?)

I want to say this: we're not alone. I don't have a linear path to my career development. I don't have a path at all. I've moved from one job to another, one career to another, even one industry to another. It's not great on the cash flow nor emotional stability. It's a bumpy ride at times.

What I can say is that most of my adult life has been working in the nonprofit sector. And I haven't had a full-time job with employee status (and benefits) for going on 13 years now. With the summer of 2023 upon us, I'll be turning 57 years old. Yes, I have to keep working for a while, because I do have bills to pay and I'm not financially independent. Will I have enough to retire? We'll see when we get there.

My various experiences has kept life interesting and adventurous. I'd imagine there are people who have even wider and broader experiences than I've had.

For people who are able to understand and navigate the career development paths of corporations and organizations, more power to them. For the rest of us, people like me, we'll get through life okay, come what may. Be encouraged even though we may not fit the conventional common sense ways of working.