Career Fulfillment for the Multi-Passionate Mind: How Being a Generalist Can Advance Your Career Path
What to do when you want to do everything
I’ve led teams, built a coaching practice, launched a podcast, explored UGC creation- and now, I figure skate in my free time. While some might say I am unfocused, or wishy-washy about moving from one thing to the next, being multi-passionate is a strength, not a flaw.
But in a world that celebrates specializing and linear careers, it can be easy to feel like we are doing something wrong.
If you’re someone with a lot of interests, ideas, or talents; struggled to pick a major college (or changed multiple times); or have strayed away from what you thought you were going to do- welcome to the club. (And I’d love it if you shared your current hobby or fixation in the comments).
Being multi-passionate isn’t about doing, being and having everything at once. It’s about figuring out what success and fulfillment looks and feels like for you, regardless of societal norms. If we’re always asked to “think outside the box”, why can’t we live outside it?
You are not behind
When I started college, I decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism management (what screams I have no idea I want to do with my life more than that)??
Almost everyone I knew had a very distinct path. All of my friends were on tracks to become a PA, a PT, or a lawyer. For years I would sometimes feel down about the fact they had a set path to pursue while I, on the other hand, had a million different industries I could be a part of within hospitality.
Whenever someone asked “what do you do?” my answer would always default to where I was currently working quickly followed by “but it’s not what I’m going to do forever.”
Looking back, always justifying my path and where I was working at the time was me projecting my insecurities of not having a formal path - but that didn’t put me behind. In fact, experimenting in different jobs and roles within the hospitality industry actually put me more ahead than ever. I was able to quickly determine the roles that I would never go back to, the industries that I found myself thriving in and continue making career choices that supported my interests. If anything, I was ahead of the game.
You can always change paths
Growing up, I was very blessed to have parents that took us on family vacations every year. I always looked forward to the next trip, and specifically.. the next hotel. As I got older, I dreamed of managing a hotel abroad or one locally that allowed me to travel.
In the fall of 2016, I finally landed a job in a Hilton hotel on Miami Beach. It was just a front desk position, but I had finally made it! I even put in my two week’s notice at the restaurant I was working at.
Before my two weeks were up at the restaurant, I completed two shifts at the hotel… and then I QUIT. It was devastating to me to make that decision, but those two days alone were the worst two days on a job I’ve ever had.
NO one had my back, they left me at the desk without any training, and I already had guests yelling at me. Plus, I had to pay for parking every time I showed up for a shift. So, I went back to my restaurant and rescinded my two weeks.
Shortly after that experience, my career aspirations shifted after a great management experience at the restaurant (thank you, Sports Grill)! I started to dream of having a job that helped people develop on the job, but I still didn’t want to let my travel or hospitality dreams go just yet.
For the next 8 years, I happened to work in various positions within the cruise line industry - both living my dreams of travel and people development in one. As you know, I also recently left the cruise line industry to pursue my own coaching and consulting business.
The point is, you don’t have to do one thing forever. Especially in my career, staying in one organization for SIX years was way longer than I ever expected to work in one place.
Consider taking a generalist approach to your career
Even though I was within the same organization for 6 years, I still yearned to explore every department. In today’s work climate, instead of asking yourself what role do you want to go to next, ask yourself, “what skills do I wish I could learn while a part of this organization?”
Even if you are let’s say, a revenue analyst, but you have an interest in the projects and scope of work that the IT department has going on, you don’t have to stay in the revenue department. A lot of skills you learn on any job can end up being transferable - regardless of the department. That’s why a lot of people went the PM (project management) route - because you can really hop to any industry and use the same PM skills you’ve learned along the way.
Taking a generalist approach to my career has had more ups than downs, but overall, at 29, I still feel really proud of what I’ve been able to do and accomplish in one decade.
Your Career, Your Way Episode Recommendations
On the pod, my co-host Laura and I are constantly talking about career pivoting - it doesn’t have to be as scary as you think. I recommend these episodes:
Thanks for reading, and thanks for listening to our podcast Your Career, Your Way. Please be sure to support our pod with a rating and / or a review.
Chat soon!
Aziza
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