( Career ) Progress Isn ’ t Linear
Demystifying myths around the ideal career path for young professionals
BY Taylor Toledo
SHUTTERSTOCK ILLUSTRATION
Twenty-somethings are told a singular story of the ideal career trajectory :
Go to college or get training and end up in your field of study . Then climb the ranks of one or two companies . Each step will be made clear as you ’ re ready to ascend the hike up the career ladder , continuing to build your expertise like carefully curated blocks in one key area . Always forward . Never backward or side to side . Clear and obvious .
As it turns out , career progress isn ’ t linear , and you learn a lot along the way . Your path may occasionally lead you backward , and it ’ s nearly always unclear . I was 20 years old when I moved to Sacramento . I had a degree — one that I was confident wouldn ’ t land me a job because of its specialty ( fashion marketing ), and a big question mark above my head .
What would I find to do in Sacramento ? Where should I be at this point in my life ? Soon I found myself with a local design firm managing the day-to-day marketing and communications . I made great connections — some becoming lifelong friends — and I added several notches of managerial experience to my belt . I learned what I did and didn ’ t like and what I was and was not good at , but I still felt I hadn ’ t found the right fit . I was getting closer , but I wasn ’ t there yet .
Seeking more opportunities to learn , I tried my hand at other roles : project management , client services , internal , external , and people management . And with each position , I gathered more data .
Fast forward almost ten years , and I find myself sitting squarely in the space I knew I would find — a marketing role that marries data and creativity —
30 comstocksmag . com | July 2022