How Diverse Interests Influence Career Development

Friends, tonight, I want to address two common concerns that many of you have shared with me, concerns often seen as career setbacks. However, I believe these are not just positive, but pivotal steps in our professional journeys. 1. Diverse Roles Across Multiple Domains: the first point is about trying different roles, whether that's across organizations, divisions, functions, or even industries. It's a widespread belief that this indicates instability or lack of focus. I beg to differ. 2. Being in a Less-than-ideal Role: the second is about finding oneself in a role or function that doesn't feel quite right. It's easy to view this as a misstep. Yet, I see it as a valuable learning experience and a gift. In the early stages of our careers, everything is about selection and exploring possibilities. You could be anything - a fireman, a teacher, a dentist, an actor, and more. But as time progresses, our journey shifts from selection to elimination. Each role or industry we try and move on from helps us understand what we don't enjoy or want to pursue, narrowing our focus and making our path clearer. For many seasoned professionals, including myself, this process of elimination has led us to be able now to dismiss a vast array of opportunities outright, as we've learned they don't align with our goals or interests. My own experiences across various industries, like investment banking, taught me what wasn't right for me, helping me to refine my path. This approach is particularly crucial for those in college or starting their careers. Don’t limit your options too soon. Explore different courses, try varied jobs. How else will you discover what truly resonates with you? There might be a role you'll love that you haven't even considered yet. To those feeling stuck in a job that doesn't seem fulfilling, remember Thomas Edison's approach with the light bulb. Each experience is a step toward eliminating what doesn’t work for you, bringing you closer to that role where you'll thrive. Don't fear the perception of being a 'job hopper' or not sticking to one path. The role you'll love most might just be around the next corner. Your career is a journey of exploration, and every step, whether it feels right or wrong at the time, is a valuable part of that journey. Let's embrace the twists and turns of our professional paths. They aren't just inevitable; they are essential.

My first two data roles have been complete opposites. The first role as a Reporting Analyst at a mid size company, I got to handle the full data lifecycle. Really go to own my work. From meeting with stakeholders to gather requirements, the ETL process, to visualization and presentation. Currently, I work at a company that is largest in the world at what it does. And I am documenting data engineering processes. And I’m working with PMO and Communications. That’s a huge swing in the skills I use daily. Can varied job experience be good for an analyst? You bet! Having a varied job history can be an asset for a data analyst for several reasons: 1. Diverse Perspective Working in different industries or roles provides a broader understanding of various business processes, challenges, and goals. This can help a data analyst approach problems creatively and develop more comprehensive solutions. 2. Adaptability and Problem-Solving Skills A varied career shows adaptability to different environments, tools, and challenges. It highlights your ability to learn quickly, which is crucial when tackling complex data issues. 3. Cross-Functional Knowledge Data analysis often requires collaboration with other teams (marketing, operations, finance, etc.). Having worked in diverse fields can make it easier to understand the unique needs and pain points of these departments. 4. Soft Skills Development Roles outside of tech often build strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, which are vital for explaining data insights to stakeholders who may not be technically inclined. 5. Domain Expertise Exposure to multiple industries can make you more versatile. You may have insights into niche problems or opportunities in industries that others might not. #data #analytics #softskills

“Unless you’ve been studying a hobby on the side, you’re kind of limited when you want to pivot after 25 years. But if you’ve done different things, kept learning, you’ve got so much latitude when the time comes.” —Senior Google Leader Research consistently shows that careers built on a range of skills, roles, and experiences create far more long-term flexibility than those narrowly focused on a single specialty. A study published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior found that professionals with “career adaptability”report higher job satisfaction and career longevity. Those who deliberately expanded their skills or took on varied assignments were significantly better positioned during times of change or transition. Satya Nadella is a good example. Early in his career, Nadella worked in a variety of technical and business roles. That broad base of experiences and training gave him the flexibility to move across disciplines and positioned him for leadership when the opportunity arose. Reflection Questions: - What skills or experiences have you added outside your core job in the last five years? - How diversified is your professional experience—and how could you expand it before you need to? - Are you positioning yourself for choice when change inevitably comes?

A friend recently shared her concerns about her career path. Unlike her peers who have specialized deeply in one area, she has explored various roles across different sectors. She felt this might be seen as a lack of focus or commitment. Wait, here is a different perspective I told her:  You are a Leaper! Leapers like her are invaluable. They embrace and learn from the changes they experience. They bring diverse experiences and fresh perspectives to bridge gaps in an organization or team. They see connections others might miss and bring solutions to complex challenges. In my book Leap Out of Your Lane, I highlighted how these varied experiences can be a powerhouse of creativity and agility. The first part of my book discusses Leaper's mindset and what it means to be intentional in your career journey. It provides strategies and examples from my career and those of other executives who have also made successful leaps.  Let’s celebrate the richness of intentionality in creating a diverse career path and demystify the stigma around moving departments, roles, or careers within or outside your organization. How has your unique career journey shaped your contribution to your team and organization? Share your experiences below.

I genuinely believe that portfolio careers are the way forward for people more than ever before. We’re no longer living in a world where one title, one company, or one linear path can hold all of someone’s potential. A portfolio career gives you room to be multidimensional. You can be a strategist and a coach. A creative and a consultant. A parent and a powerhouse. Or like me, a People/HR exec and a Travel Entrepreneur! When we diversity our careers, we build security. We don't put all our eggs in one basket in our financial investments, why are we doing that in our careers⁉️ Diversifying keeps us curious, adaptive, and expansive 💪 Especially in a world where companies restructure and re-prioritize on a dime. I’ve watched too many incredibly talented friends get blindsided by layoffs. Not because they weren’t valuable, but because the business shifted. That’s why I encourage people to start building their interests and skills outside of their current job. 🎯 Start that side hustle. 🎯 Explore that skill. 🎯 Say yes to the project outside your lane. The smartest investment you can make is in you—and no one path should get to define your worth. The 5-9 grind may become the best investment you've made in yourself. Agree⁉️

How I built a 6 figure (non-tech) career in less than 5 years after graduation. A lot of people are obsessed with the linear path of climbing the ladder, one role at a time. ➕ Associate ➕ Senior Associate ➕ Manager ➕ Sr. Manager ➕ Director ➕ Sr. Director/Principal ➕ VP/GM “I’m going to find a good company and work my way up. I’ll put in 60-70 hour weeks to show my work ethic and value. They’ll see I’m a contributor… and I’ll get promoted”. Yep. Slowly. And you'll probably be exhausted. I believe the best careers are built like an artist builds a collection of work. The goal is to build a career portfolio. Here's how I did that the first 5 years after graduation: I worked in different... ✅ Industries ✅ Roles ✅ Sizes of companies (start-ups and corporations) ✅ Cultures I also got experience under different leaders. I ended up with a diverse set of skills and experiences in a short space of time, and quickly become more marketable as a candidate. You can accomplish something similar, and you don’t have to be a recent graduate or intern for this to work for you. Here are the steps to take: ⚡ 1. Embrace learning over a linear path: Focus on continuous learning and personal development. Seek out opportunities that challenge you, even if they seem unrelated to your current role. ⚡ 2. Emphasize skill accumulation: In a rapidly changing job market, the value of a broad, transferable skill set cannot be overstated. Cultivate expertise in diverse areas, investing time and effort in building skills that are in high demand across industries. ⚡ 3. Embrace Varied Experiences: Breaking away from a linear mindset means seeking out diverse experiences, even if they deviate from the traditional career trajectory. Consider taking on side projects, pursuing passion projects, or volunteering in areas that interest you. I believe in you -- go build your portfolio, friend! ____ Enjoy this? I'll be expanding on this in Sunday's Elevate newsletter 🚀 Click the link below to subscribe 🤘

“Pick one thing and stick to it,” they said. But what if they're wrong? I used to feel skeptical - jumping from one interest to another. I even felt a little embarassment wondering what other’s might think. Truth bomb: ↳ Being multi-passionate is not wrong. Is okay to let curiosity guide the way. Is okay to explore new interests. Is okay to be inquisitive. Here’s what nobody mentions: — Steve Jobs fused calligraphy + tech — Oprah bridged journalism + acting + business — Elon Musk combined physics + engineering + entrepreneurship They didn’t force choices, they found crossroads. The secret? ↳ Honor your passions → Combine them with purpose. Here are some signs that point out you are multi-passionate: You're creative. You find innovation appealing. You have (very) diverse interests. You have a resistance to monotony. You're not content with just one career path. You're endlessly curious and love learning new things. 3 steps that transformed my journey: 1. List ALL your interests ↳ Yes, all of them! 2. Find unexpected intersections ↳ Where do they naturally overlap? 3. Create value at these crossroads ↳ This is where magic happens. More specialists? Not mandatory. → Creative minds? Absolutely. Your diverse interests are not distractions → They are your competitive advantage. ✓ Quick Exercise: Name 3 seemingly unrelated skills you have. ↳ How could they solve a unique problem? What unlikely combination makes you unique? I recommend this book by Sigute Zitikyte! What a great read 🧡

Some of the best football players have taken ballet.  Some of the best hockey players have taken figure skating.  Some of the best marketers carried a bag at one point in their careers. Why? Diversity breeds creativity and adaptability. In SaaS, we're obsessed with specialization. However, a wide range of experiences can lead to better adaptability, creativity, and a flexible approach to problem-solving. My favorite book on this topic is 📕 Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein. Variety is more than the spice of life–it's the very essence of innovation. And this applies to marketing as well! It's easier than ever to gain sales experience: 👉 Listen to real sales calls 👉 Get demo certified 👉 Understand the customer journey firsthand 👉 Read sales books  👉 Listen to sales podcasts  👉 Collaborate with your sales team This isn't just about adding another feather to your cap. It's about enriching your understanding of the market, the product, and the customer. Such insights can revolutionize your marketing strategies, setting you apart in a crowded marketplace. If athletes can cross-train to enhance and elevate their performance, why can't we? 

Career Advice 101: Yes, mastery is important, but I've found that accumulating diverse experiences can be even more powerful for long-term success and fulfillment. Go Wide. How? By doing the following: → Embrace the discomfort of being a beginner again and again. → Immerse yourself fully to extract the most learning from each experience. → Raise your hand for projects and roles that broaden your horizons, even if they don't perfectly fit on a linear path. When you do this, you prepare yourself for something bigger, and maybe even more than what you initially expected. And this is exactly what happened to me. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to gain exposure to many different geographies, industries, and domains within and outside of finance. These diverse experiences have become the foundation for building Abacum, a venture that requires a multidisciplinary lens. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. I would go the same route over again in a heartbeat. So, my advice to you is this: Don't be afraid to go wide. Embrace the opportunities that come your way, even if they don't seem directly related to your current path. Each experience will teach you something valuable and contribute to your personal and professional growth. Trust the journey. The dots will connect in ways you can't yet imagine.