Growing up, I observed a distinct pattern amongst the working adults in my circle: landing a job and committing to it for decades. It was a rarity to witness someone hop between jobs.
However, as times evolved, corporations began to streamline their management structures. The phenomenon of offshoring jobs emerged, and the concept of outsourcing gained traction.
By the time I stepped into the professional realm, while it wasn't uncommon for individuals to remain loyal to a single job for several decades, the typical tenure had shrunk to a span of three to five years.
There was a time when job cuts, though infrequent, came with a silver lining. Employees were offered a generous severance package, sometimes extending to half a year's pay. Contrast that with today's scenario, where, in the event of a layoff, one considers oneself fortunate to secure a severance lasting a mere month or two.
This shift in the employment landscape necessitates a re-evaluation of how we approach our careers. In today's dynamic work environment, irrespective of whether we're self-employed or working for someone, we're all akin to entrepreneurs.
Your employment status, be it with a multinational conglomerate, a budding startup, a government body, or a charitable institution, shouldn't dictate the trajectory of your career. The onus is on you to treat your career as an enterprise.
Remember, your career is akin to a startup, with you at its helm, steering its course. You are its CEO.