Career Path Isn’t Linear. It’s Bumpy (And That’s a Good Thing)

We often picture a clean, upward path when we think about a career path. We imagine each step leading predictably to the next. But real career growth rarely looks like that. Instead, it’s bumpy. It is full of leaps, pauses, pivots, detours, and unexpected opportunities.

And that’s exactly what makes a career journey meaningful.

The Myth of the Straight Line

For decades, we’ve been conditioned to believe that success follows a tidy sequence:

1. Education
2. Entry-level job
3. Mid-career
4. Leadership
5. Retirement

This traditional narrative suggests that any disruption is a setback.

But the modern world of work doesn’t work this way. Industries shift. Technology evolves. Interests deepen or change. Life circumstances shift our priorities. The idea of a perfectly linear journey feels more outdated every year.

Bumpy Progress Is Still Progress

Career growth happens in waves, not steps. Sometimes you leap ahead through a stretch assignment, a certification, or a well-timed opportunity. Other times, you feel stuck, questioning your direction or navigating a transition.

These “bumps” aren’t failures. They are markers of growth.

• A sideways move can build new skills.
• A pause can create space for clarity.
• A pivot can reignite purpose.
• A challenge can unlock strengths you didn’t know you had.

The moments that feel uncertain often end up being the moments that shape your future path.

Your Career Is an Ongoing Adventure, NOT a Destination

A career is not a finish line. It’s a lifelong journey. There is no single “right” path, only a right path that aligns with your evolving identity, values, interests, and aspirations.

When you embrace your career as an adventure:

• You become more resilient
• You see possibilities instead of obstacles
• You allow yourself to explore
• You stay open to redefining success

Your story continues to unfold. Each chapter, whether smooth or bumpy, adds depth to who you are as a professional and as a person.

How to Embrace the Bumpy Journey

Here are four ways to navigate your career with confidence:

1.     Expect evolution – Your interests and goals will change. Let them.

2.     Celebrate the small, uneven steps – Progress is progress—even when it doesn’t look impressive on a résumé.

3.     Stay curious – Explore new skills, industries, and ideas. Curiosity keeps your path dynamic.

4.     Think often – Your career grows as you do. Reflection helps you understand what’s next.

Book Recommendation

Interested in embracing a bumpy journey?

As you prepare to ponder your New Year career resolutions, the following book can be your guide.

Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One by Jenny Blake 

Jenny Blake introduces what she calls the four stages of pivot:

1. Plant
2. Scan
3. Pilot
4. Launch

She goes on to detail how to go through all the stages, step by step. It is almost like having a career coach by your side.

Here is a quote from the book:
Prospective bosses and business partners are looking for marketable skills that lead to results, giving you a reputation as a must hire. Jenny Blake 

If you have read this book, have you considered your next pivot? Did the tips help?
 
If you haven’t and are going through or considering a career change, it’s worth checking out.

Happy reading!

Final Thought

Your career won’t move in a straight line and it really shouldn’t. The bumps, twists, and pauses are all part of a meaningful, evolving journey. Celebrate the adventure, embrace the unpredictability, and trust that your path is uniquely yours.

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I am Hoda Kilani CCDP ®, CPCC, certified Career and Academic coach. I guide students, young people, parents, teachers and community partners to confidently start what’s next. I travel the globe as a conference and event keynote speaker focusing on increasing Career Literacy.

Follow me for more career insights.