I changed jobs 10 times in 10 years to get the career I wanted
I changed jobs 10 times in 10 years to get the career I wanted
A career path shaped by frequent transitions
I changed jobs 10 times in 10 - Brittany Harris-Nelson, 32, has moved between roles at six distinct universities over the past decade, accumulating 10 different positions. Her journey, she describes, feels like a "frog hopping across lily pads"—each step a deliberate leap toward her ultimate goal, even if the route wasn’t straightforward. Today, she holds a mid-level administrative role at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a position she has long aspired to reach.
"Each role helped me build skills and perspectives I didn’t yet have, and together those experiences prepared me for the work I do today," Harris-Nelson explains.
While her earnings have grown modestly, she has gained valuable benefits such as extended paid leave and increased pension contributions. Her career has spanned roles like office manager, admissions counsellor, and student advisor, with each position contributing to her professional development. Despite the lack of significant salary increases, Harris-Nelson views her career strategy as a success.
The rise of "lily padding" in the workforce
Industry experts have noted a growing trend among Gen Z workers, termed "lily padding," where individuals shift jobs frequently to enhance their skills and pursue higher positions. This approach contrasts with traditional career models, prioritizing flexibility over stability. According to a 2024 Randstad survey of 11,250 workers, the average time Gen Z employees stay in their first roles is just 1.1 years, compared to 1.8 years for millennials and nearly three years for older generations.
In the UK, a 2025 Wealthify report found that those who changed jobs four or more times in a decade earned an average of £39,276, a 31% boost over peers who remained in one role. This mobility, Harris-Nelson argues, is a strategic choice to build a versatile career rather than being confined to a single corporate structure.
A life of diverse experiences
Adam Smiley Poswolsky, a 42-year-old author and public speaker, exemplifies this mindset. Based in San Francisco, he rejects the idea of climbing a traditional career ladder, instead seeking "meaning and purpose" through varied work. Over 15 years, he has worked in government, non-profit, creative, and corporate sectors, including roles as a Peace Corps project leader and an English teacher at Harvard University.
"In each of my jumps, I was very clear on being ready for something new, but I also knew the skillset I was taking from one experience to the next," Poswolsky says.
His career has included positions as a location scout for Warner Bros, a film producer in New York City, and a public speaker at a youth-leadership program. He also served as a fellow for a think tank and contributed to Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Poswolsky credits his flexibility for achieving his current status as a well-paid keynote speaker, noting that skills from his Peace Corps days eventually led to book writing and his present role.
“The skills I learned in that government job helped me as a writer, which then led to me writing a book, which led to my current career,” he adds. Nicola Grant, chief people officer at UK insurance provider Hiscox, echoes this perspective, highlighting the value of such dynamic career strategies.