High school seniors, as they apply to college, are often advised to select a major aligned with their intended field of study. Historically, the major an individual chooses rigidly determines the specific career path they would follow. However, contemporary trends emphasize the ease and prevalence of transitioning between careers or industries. The average person will change careers 5-7 times during their working life. Approximately 30% of the total workforce will now change jobs every 12 months (US Department of Labor, 2023). Roughly half (49.5%) of workers who changed employers also changed occupations in an average month from 2019 to 2021 (Pew Research Center, 2022).
Numerous factors prompt individuals to switch careers, including the pursuit of fresh challenges, better prospects for growth, personal interests, or adapting to shifts in the job market. These changes are often driven by a quest for greater fulfillment, work-life balance, or financial security. With industries evolving rapidly and an emphasis on continuous learning and skill enhancement, career transitions have become increasingly normalized in today's workforce. This trend is further emphasized by Gabby Ianniello and Anvi Banval's career trajectories, where they navigated through various industries and roles, leveraging their college education and extracurricular experiences to shape their paths. Ianniello, an Award-Winning Podcast Host & Digital Marketing Strategist, initially pursued education in college, shifted to business focusing on real estate and technology post-graduation, and eventually ventured into entrepreneurship with her own podcast. She says in today’s society, it is “more accepted and almost expected for people to job-hop”.
Similarly, Banval, CEO of Generation She, transitioned from software engineering to product management, then went on to establish a venture-backed software company before currently leading a media company. Even though she went through varied interests during college, her “college education and extracurricular activities were crucial in shaping my current career”.
Ultimately, while Ianniello and Banval did not begin with a major that aligned with their current profession, building transferable skills and staying true to their passions helped Ianniello and Banval succeed in their transitions between different careers. The modern workforce values adaptability, continuous learning, and transferable skills that they gained throughout college to allow them to succeed regardless.
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Gabby Ianniello, Award-Winning Podcast Host & Digital Marketing Strategist
Anvi Banval, CEO of Generation She
Stats:
Roughly half (49.5%) of workers who changed employers also changed occupations in an average month from 2019 to 2021. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2022/07/28/majority-of-u-s-workers-changing-jobs-are-seeing-real-wage-gains/
The average person will change careers 5-7 times during their working life. Approximately 30% of the total workforce will now change jobs every 12 months. Source: the U.S. Department of Labor. https://novoresume.com/career-blog/career-change-statistics#:~:text=The%20average%20person%20will%20change,change%20jobs%20every%2012%20mon
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