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As a multipotentialite/renaissance soul, I envision a dream life where I change my fields regularly. (Maybe every five to six years) I have a degree in STEM, but my interests include arts as well. However, I am also highly sensitive (especially to stress) I want to be more deliberate about planning my future. Here are my questions:
Skill building- I constantly learn new skills which are often diverse. How can I plan, streamline and strategize this in a way that allows me to prepare for the next job I want to take?
Financial savings- I probably need to ultra save in order to cushion the time between jobs. Any tips on how to do this?
Applications- What sort of employers would be okay with this career jumping? In case no employers want such people, how should I disguise/explain my resume without outright lying?
General wisdom- This is a difficult career path that goes against the grain, especially in a world where workers are meant to serve the organization and not themselves. However, it is my truest most authentic self and I wish to honor it as much as possible. Any advice and stories from people who have changed their career paths (even once) would be greatly appreciated.
Clarification- I do not wish to make a career/job out of every single one of my interests (that would be impossible). I have a few jobs in mind- web design, teaching, digital art, writing/journalism, editing, data analytics. I have basic skills in all of these, but they need to be honed to be employable.
I am currently applying to a master's program in cognitive sciences.
Thanks for reading, ladies!
Did you read that book by Emilie Wapnick as well? I have and it was a huge confidence booster and a relief for me. I realized that my varied interests and career metamorphoses over the years are actually quite normal, and I am not alone in doing that.
Apparently the author has a website and a forum that you can join. I haven't explored the forum side of it yet, but the website is called Puttylike.com, which is adorable really lol.
I learned that I want to use the Einstein approach, where my main job will bring in the highest and most of my income, but then explore side jobs for my passions. The good thing about this approach is that I don't feel scared or like I'm making huge risks each time with doing the passion projects because they won't be the main sources of my income; the main job will be the one that will keep me afloat as I explore my interests and change courses in life without leaving me vulnerable to stretches of unemployment, poor pay, or homelessness.
Maybe this is a good tactic for you, too?
You sound like me, lol. I don't have much advice to offer yet, but I'm interested in the discussion. The job market doesn't seem very friendly towards multi-passionate people and you'll often be put in the "flaky, master of none" category. I haven't discovered an antidote to that yet, and I'm also working on finding a cohesive narrative that summarizes my passions in a marketable "package" as opposed fragmented (but connected) pieces of skills here and there.
I'm an estimating engineer in construction and an opera singer. I have time lapses in my resume from times when I just sing opera and also from breaking my neck and jaw. I've never had any problems getting a job in my STEM field no matter how much time I've let lapse. In fact, I get calls every week asking if I want a job. My advice is to be so good at your STEM job that it's an automatic fall back if your art aspirations don't work out. My employers have never seen my singing as an issue. In fact, I'm great at briefing people, since I sing in many different languages in theaters. I have no public speaking fears. I got accolades from the Director of the IMF when I briefed them on their renovation, and it's just because speaking in public is nowhere near as scary as singing in a different language, wearing costumes, acting, remembering your staging, etc. Yes, do save your money from your STEM work. It really helps. I spent a lot of money of acupuncture just to keep me up and about with energy to work and sing. You can do both, but you have to prioritize your sleep and diet to keep your energy up.