The “Squiggly Career” Yeah, It’s a Thing.

If you’re part of the youngest generation in the workplace, namely Gen Z, then you probably like to do
things a bit differently including work.

Many younger workers have a different attitude towards a career, climbing a corporate ladder and life
paths. They reject the way other generations have viewed work and how they work. Many are opting for
the “Squiggly Career”.

The term “Squiggly Career” was coined by authors Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis, who both ditched the
rat race in London to co-launch a podcast, write a book, and build a company to champion this idea.

The Squiggly Career refers to a career journey that doesn’t follow a linear route like a line on a graph.
It’s an unconventional career path characterized by frequent changes, shifts, and a variety of
experiences. It is a departure from the traditional career trajectory where individuals follow a path in a
single field or industry.

In a Squiggly Career, individuals may explore different industries, roles, or even pursue multiple careers
simultaneously. They prioritize continuous learning, personal growth, and pursuing opportunities that
closely align with their interests, passions, and values.

Squiggly Careers often involve taking risks, embracing uncertainty, and adapting to changing
circumstances. Rather than aiming for a specific destination, individuals focus on building a diverse set
of skills and experiences that can be applied across various contexts.

To embark on a Squiggly Career, you must be willing to do the following:

–Embrace Change: Be proactive and seek out new opportunities for growth and development. Embrace
the idea that your career path may take unexpected twists and turns, and be willing to adapt to new
roles and work environments.

-Pursue Diverse Experiences: Allow yourself to explore different roles, industries, or projects. This could
involve taking on different jobs, freelancing, working on side projects, or even starting your own
ventures.

-Continuously Learn & Upskill. Prioritize professional development to acquire new skills and knowledge.
Seek out training programs, courses, workshops, or certifications that align with your interests and help
you stay relevant.

-Network & Seek Mentorships: Cultivate a strong professional network and seek out mentors who can
provide guidance, support, and valuable insights as you navigate your Squiggly Career.

-Emphasize Personal Growth & Fulfillment: Look for opportunities that provide a sense of purpose and
allow you to make a meaningful impact.

-Take Calculated Risks: Be willing to pursue new opportunities or venture into unfamiliar territory. Squiggly Careers often involve stepping outside of your comfort zone.

-Embrace Entrepreneurship. Be innovative, creative, and embrace the entrepreneurial spirit. The
entrepreneurial mindset can help you navigate the uncertainty of a squiggly career.

-Be Adaptable & Resilient. Develop skills to be adaptable and resilient to thrive in a changing work
environment. Embrace setbacks and failures as learning opportunities and use them to grow stronger
and more resilient.

Remember, a Squiggly Career is unique to each individual, so there is no one-size-fits all. It’s about
embracing the freedom and flexibility to shape a career path based on interests, skills, and evolving
aspirations.

ABOUT JULIE RUPENSKI

Julie Rupenski is the Founder & CEO of MedBest Recruiting. Since opening its doors in 2001, Julie has grown MedBest into an award winning, multimillion-dollar national firm, garnering impressive awards including INC 5000 2021 and Tampa Bay Fast 50 2021!  This year, Julie was named as one of the “Top 100 Women Leaders in Tampa 2022″ by Women We Admire.

MedBest has gained national recognition due to Julie’s industry expertise and high level of success. Julie has an in-depth knowledge of the senior living industry.  She previously worked in operations for both senior housing and senior living prior to founding MedBest. Today, Julie and her industry-savvy team of recruiters, make it their mission to place exceptional industry executives in senior living positions where they have the greatest impact.

Julie’s industry articles and interviews have been published in Provider Magazine, Argentum Quarterly, LeadingAge Magazine, McKnight’s Senior Living, Florida Senior Living Association, Florida Health Care Association, Florida Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge Florida, LeadingAge Indiana, LeadingAge Oregon, Virginia Assisted Living Association and the Pennsylvania Health Care Association.

Julie earned her degree in Gerontology at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida and continues to cultivate her career through senior living conferences, forums, trade shows, and expos.

ABOUT MEDBEST
MedBest is an award-winning national Executive Search Firm exclusive to the Senior Living Industry. For more than two decades, we have connected senior living organizations with exceptional senior living executive talent for both permanent and interim roles. MedBest was named as one of American’s top companies by Inc.5000 plus we are a Tampa Fast 50 Company!