“Diversity promotes stability.” This quote by American writer, philosopher, naturalist, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist Aldo Leopold also applies to careers. I used to resent those who were sure, often since childhood, what they “wanted to be when they grew up.” I was especially resentful if they seemingly pursued that path with ease and privilege. Having that set path to follow seemed sooo much simpler than the long, complicated, and messy process of figuring it all out. Me? I knew what I DIDN’T want to be, leaving an equally long list of what I COULD be.
And I've tried a lot of things along the way. A lot. Here’s how I spent the last decade:
Corn Hand Pollination Technician - Agriculture
Account Representative - Insurance and Financial Services
Project Coordinator and Grant Writer - Regional Nonprofit
Event Coordinator - Events Management
Marketing Director - Restaurant
Professional Musician - Self-Employed (still side-hustlin')
Media Analyst - TV Advertising
And over the last decade, I have gone from resentful to proud. I know I am on the correct path at exactly the right pace. Yes, I have carefully curated my resume and LinkedIn to tell a specific story and speak to my immediate goals, but my seemingly random work history still comes up anywhere from job interviews to idle conversation. Anyone viewing (or should I say judging) it as anything but an asset is a ginormous red flag.
My diverse work background is a competitive advantage. Here's how: • Taking the time to explore diverse industries, roles, and workplace cultures illuminated the theme of what I was most interested in being a part of long-term. (NOT sales and cold calling!) • It gives me a broad background, from technical skills to people skills, that I’ve brought to every role since. • Diverse experiences make it easier to pivot in any direction. • Personal understanding. I learned that I get bored easily and need exciting newness, continuous learning, and total autonomy to stay engaged. • I’m able to relate to and engage with others from all walks of life. (Everyone should be required to work a service job for at least 3+ months. Everyone.)
Nothing against those who have been with their companies long enough to get the 5, 10, 25, or even 40-year pins. (Sidenote: whatever happened to companies giving employees nice gifts for these milestones? Bring that back!) But for those who have been "camped out" at one place for an extended amount of time, I wonder how they can say definitively that's where they want to pitch their tent, not having scoped out or even tested at least a few alternate campsites. Maybe I am unhealthily aware of opportunity costs? Or I enjoy the viral stories of people who start medical school at 50 or graduate at 90 too much? There is tremendous value in sticking it out for the long term to become an expert in an industry, a leader at a company, and building that historical perspective. Those people are needed, too. The point I want to make is: no one is better or worse for it, it's just something totally different brought to the table, and I'd like both extremes and the continuum between to be equally respected.
I've made some hard pivots over the last decade. From the cornfield to the office. From writing to slinging beers. You can say what you want about me, but I've got RANGE. I can take on any situation however new, awkward, or random, and get along with others, learn quickly, and make it my own. For some people, this resilience, adaptability, and curiosity come naturally, but they are also a skill that can be developed and I've had lots of practice.
A photographic favorite from my first "real" job out of college: Scroll down for an explanation.
Me “outstanding” in my (corn) field. Behind me are 20 species of rare heritage corn in every shape, size, and color. They needed to be carefully hand pollinated to ensure genetic purity (the reason for the bags and colored tape) before being harvested, saved, and sent to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in case of the apocalypse. It was hard manual labor, but talking with others made the days go by fast, I enjoyed working outside every day, and I was making a difference by preserving biodiversity. I literally almost quit after the first day because they, perhaps intentionally, did not set proper expectations of what the job entailed but I grew to really enjoy it! Shirt credit: Raygun
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