Comments on: Letter to new graduates. And how about a braided career?

By: Ms. No Single Mama Drama

Ms. No Single Mama Drama — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:59:09 +0000

I am a professional job-hopper and a serial entrepreneur.

The longest period of time that I've held a job? Two years–and, forced myself to make it that long. The only thing that has been a constant are my sideline businesses, one that I've been doing for 10 years now.

At first, I thought this "instability" would be held against me, when searching for employment. And, unfortunately, some companies still do, but, of course, there are some companies that don't.

When I interviewed for current high-paying, work-at-home position, I was surprised that they actually valued the breadth of my experience.

I think when you're in flow, and you're authentically "doing you", everything has a way of working out for the best.

Maybe I'm too optimistic, but it has always worked out that way for me.

By: Doing it Differently Blog Carnival, 7th Edition : Today Is That Day

Doing it Differently Blog Carnival, 7th Edition : Today Is That Day — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 07:49:52 +0000

[...] 1) Penelope – I love you! A woman truly after my own heart, Penelope Trunk of Brazen Careerist brings us a post that I strongly recommend that you read in order to get a dose of perspective, and to help you make some decisions about what is important to you. Be sure to check out Graduates. And how about a braided career? [...]

By: Darlene McDaniel

Darlene McDaniel — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:30:53 +0000

Hi Rachel,

What an incredible question! My recommendation to you is that you evaluate what else you can do besides working for other people. Why not find a small business you are willing to work that gives you the freedom to move about the country at your leisure, yet provides you with the income you need to live, pay rent, bills etc.

Continuing to find jobs for short periods of times does make you a risk. The cost to hire an employee is considerable to organizations, so why should they hire you, if you, and they already know that you will only be there for a moment.

Surely there are some things you like to do that you can turn into an income generator and that will give you the freedom to live your life as you would like, on the go! Good luck! And Godspeed!

Darlene
Interview Guru

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:03:04 +0000

I came across this post after trying to figure out how to explain my resume. I'm the person you mention in this post. I've had 5 jobs in 5 years, quitting each job to travel or because it didn't excite me anymore, finding a new job when I need to make rent.

I'm finding it harder to get into interviews now because employees see me as a "flight risk." I am. What advice do you give to people who follow this "career plan" when employers start to see a pattern on your resume and become hesitant to hire – and becoming a "consultant" isn't an option.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:04:03 +0000

HaH! When I first started reading the questions at the top, I was like YES, YES (oh shit, am I doing it all wrong). A lot of people make me feel like a confused flake for frequently changing jobs and for belieiving in my side businesses. Thank you for validating what I am doing and helping me feel like I am on the path to success! You're the best!

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:12:49 +0000

Corey,

Then you need to do nothing, follow tradition, and see what happens.

Dale

By: Corey

Corey — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:24:08 +0000

I can see the logic in this post; however, it leaves me with a question. What if you are not the type that revels in accepting the burden in the name of a possible realization of your ideals a long a life path, but would rather trade that in for stability? What if you are risk-averse, but have less problem minimizing your expectations so long those of others, for you, are clearer? More generally, what if you find yourself in a postmodern world with modernist expectations/values, and are shocked by the instability of the breaches that others more palatably term "transitions"? Then, how does this resampling of individuals through indefinite transitions not seem like a collosal process of selection for which many of us may not meet on the other side of the divide?

* * * * * * *
Great question. We're all risk averse. We all want assurance that our decisions are good and we're protecting our families and choosing a comfortable life for ourselves. But there are no sure bets anymore. No one is offering stable jobs that last 40 years. And few people will truly feel happy staying in the same job forty years. So the old model of stability is not an option.

Braiding a career is the new way to find stability. I came to it becuase I want stability for myself and my family so much. I find myself searching for a way to create stability in an unstable workplace. This braided career is my best answer.

-Penelope

By: not having it all | mad housewife

not having it all | mad housewife — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:25:42 +0000

[...] of the reasons I like reading Penelope Trunk so much is that she writes about careers as if they are part of life, (or even, the career that is your whole life) not the other way round. The idea is that you can [...]

By: SURVIVING THE QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS » Keep Up With Me

SURVIVING THE QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS » Keep Up With Me — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:12:46 +0000

[...] Penelope Trunk (aka the Brazen Careerist, seen last week at BlogHer '07), recommends that people in their 20s take advantage of what she calls a braided career. [...]

By: 5 Reasons to Plan a Career and Develop ‘Second Chance’ Skills « Troubleshooting

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:25:20 +0000

[...] We are dissatisfied with work because of a bad boss, low salary or dump colleagues etc. Penelope Trunk, who is a very interesting writer, advises people to become happier in their lives by quitting works every 2 years and devote more time to their personal lives, rather than to work. For example, you can get a corporate job for a short time to earn money and then to take a backpack and a slipping bag. She assures that this will make you feel unstable. Rather you will get much fun and experience which will become invaluable. She applied her own life as instance of a nice braided career. She was a volley-ball player, than an officer, a vice-president, run her own business, failed and now she is a successful writer. It seems that planning is not applicable to the Braided Careers in Braided Career by Penelope Trunk. [...]