This one is for the generalists who do it all, who refuse to box themselves in so they can fit into narrow job titles, and who know they can have a thriving career anyway
Wow I am so excited to have stumbled upon this (thanks algorithm)! One of my biggest struggles with this is the following sequence of events:
1. I get a job that is a clearly defined box
2. They quickly realize I can do more and I am also interested in doing a wider range of work
3. I now have a job that is All of the Above (yay, fulilling, fun) but also Everyone Else's Job (boo, overworked, confused)
I've struggled throughout my non-linear career path to figure out how to open myself up to generalist roles without just becoming someone doing two, three, four, more jobs for one salary.
So excited to follow along with this and learn together!
Yes it's hard! Or in a worse case (for me, only happened once thankfully), I get to number 2, try to take on more work....and am told no. That is never a fit because I get sooo beyond bored and completely check out.
happy your here! i guess the algo isn't all that bad...
You're reading my mind and heart right now. =( When people ask me what I love doing, I usually go back to how much I enjoy working with people, which sounds SO generic and oversimplified. I am a community person, an educator, a connector of dots, an identifier of missed opportunities, among other things. But all of this isn't legible to the world in the way I wish it could be.
I love connectors, and it’s taken me awhile to come to terms with the fact that I am one myself! Happy you’re here (even if it feels difficult sometimes)
So excited about your new column! I can so relate to the tension of is this a separate newsletter vs. a new column. Really helpful to see how you are thinking about it (as someone struggling with this tension as well!)
Idk how you are always in my head but I’m glad you are because 1) solidarity, sister! and 2) you express all my thoughts and feelings in such a coherent way.
I also dk if the algorithm is just doing its thing or everyone seems to have the same collective thought, but I’ve been seeing soooo much content about generalists in the last few days. I’ve been thinking about how to “define” and “brand” myself for over a year now since I got laid off, and my lack of brand being a brand isn’t great lol (but you’ll like me, I promise!)
Amanda! always grateful for you and the support, and glad I tapped into your brain (not intentionally, I promise!) cheers to breaking out of the boxes. I’m hoping generalists get talked about more and we can forge our collective path…
We are full, dare I say *multi-passionate*, human beings with so much to offer, yet our full potential isn’t being tapped because it doesn’t exist neatly on an org chart. With the future of work being redefined as we speak, I do wonder if it’s carving out space for generalists who can think in systems and connect the dots in ways LLMs can’t.
I've had this exact experience being contract vs full time there's something about contract that is SO psychologically different even if the work is similar. I love this new section and am excited to keep reading it!
That shift from contract to full-time (which you’re right, is soo psychological!) really took me by surprise. The difference on paper was so subtle, but it was like I got a taste of what it felt like to build something for myself and I just couldn’t let it go!
not to really pile on but i was also thinking…is it crazy to just comment “im so obsessed with you and everything you do??? is that too forward???” haha so anyway im obsessed with this and you and of course, cheering you on 🥂🥳
Wow I am so excited to have stumbled upon this (thanks algorithm)! One of my biggest struggles with this is the following sequence of events:
1. I get a job that is a clearly defined box
2. They quickly realize I can do more and I am also interested in doing a wider range of work
3. I now have a job that is All of the Above (yay, fulilling, fun) but also Everyone Else's Job (boo, overworked, confused)
I've struggled throughout my non-linear career path to figure out how to open myself up to generalist roles without just becoming someone doing two, three, four, more jobs for one salary.
So excited to follow along with this and learn together!
Yes it's hard! Or in a worse case (for me, only happened once thankfully), I get to number 2, try to take on more work....and am told no. That is never a fit because I get sooo beyond bored and completely check out.
happy your here! i guess the algo isn't all that bad...
You're reading my mind and heart right now. =( When people ask me what I love doing, I usually go back to how much I enjoy working with people, which sounds SO generic and oversimplified. I am a community person, an educator, a connector of dots, an identifier of missed opportunities, among other things. But all of this isn't legible to the world in the way I wish it could be.
I love connectors, and it’s taken me awhile to come to terms with the fact that I am one myself! Happy you’re here (even if it feels difficult sometimes)
So excited about your new column! I can so relate to the tension of is this a separate newsletter vs. a new column. Really helpful to see how you are thinking about it (as someone struggling with this tension as well!)
Thank you!! And I love calling it a column!! That feels perfect for right now so thanks for giving me that 💕
This is incredible Julie! So excited to follow along with all of the above.
Idk how you are always in my head but I’m glad you are because 1) solidarity, sister! and 2) you express all my thoughts and feelings in such a coherent way.
I also dk if the algorithm is just doing its thing or everyone seems to have the same collective thought, but I’ve been seeing soooo much content about generalists in the last few days. I’ve been thinking about how to “define” and “brand” myself for over a year now since I got laid off, and my lack of brand being a brand isn’t great lol (but you’ll like me, I promise!)
Cheers to not fitting in a box 🥂
Amanda! always grateful for you and the support, and glad I tapped into your brain (not intentionally, I promise!) cheers to breaking out of the boxes. I’m hoping generalists get talked about more and we can forge our collective path…
We are full, dare I say *multi-passionate*, human beings with so much to offer, yet our full potential isn’t being tapped because it doesn’t exist neatly on an org chart. With the future of work being redefined as we speak, I do wonder if it’s carving out space for generalists who can think in systems and connect the dots in ways LLMs can’t.
I've had this exact experience being contract vs full time there's something about contract that is SO psychologically different even if the work is similar. I love this new section and am excited to keep reading it!
That shift from contract to full-time (which you’re right, is soo psychological!) really took me by surprise. The difference on paper was so subtle, but it was like I got a taste of what it felt like to build something for myself and I just couldn’t let it go!
Happy you’re here 🫶
ugh, obsessed with everything you write/record/publish into the world!!
cry!! i am crying!!!
not to really pile on but i was also thinking…is it crazy to just comment “im so obsessed with you and everything you do??? is that too forward???” haha so anyway im obsessed with this and you and of course, cheering you on 🥂🥳
now i am SOBBING. full blown!
YES!!! mission accomplished then 💖🫶🏼
OKAY BUT I LOVE THIS AND I AM TYPING IN ALL CAPS TO SHOW MY EXCITEMENT!!
THANK YOU!!!!!