What Does a Successful Career Really Mean?

Sep 20, 2024 | Blogs, Career Advice, Career Planning, Outplacement and Career Transition

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Success. It’s a word we hear constantly from the media, peers, and family. Often, we’re fed messages about what success should look like: a high-paying job, climbing the corporate ladder, or becoming a C-suite boss. But success isn’t one-size-fits-all for our clients at Canada Career Counselling. There are different paths to success, each unique and valid whether you’re in Halifax, Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver.

The Linear Path

Traditionally seen as the gold standard, this path is all about moving steadily up within an organization. It’s a clear and structured journey, often leading to roles in management where competition and hierarchy are highly valued.

The Spiral Path

This one is the most pursued today. With the gig economy and popularity of hybrid work, personal downtime and self-actualization are now central. This path involves making lateral moves or transitioning into different industries every 5-7 years, using transferable skills – valuing change and personal growth.

The Transitory Path

Perfect for those multipotentialites who enjoy doing different things, this path offers independence and the chance to explore diverse interests. It’s about embracing change and enjoying the journey, even with less stability.

The Expert Path

Resonating with specialists and professionals who value stability, this path is for those who become experts in their field, like teachers, counselling therapists, lawyers, or carpenters. They find success in being the best at what they do with minimal career movement.

Blending Paths

Your career path might combine elements of these. You could be an entrepreneur and a professional who works for someone else by blending expert and spiral paths. The key is finding what aligns with your personal and professional goals.

Success is multifaceted and deeply personal. It’s about finding what works best for you and aligning your career with your values and goals.

Navigating these paths can be challenging. This is where online career counselling comes in. We offer career counselling for early, mid or senior-level professionals and students across Canada. Book your career consultation online now to discuss your unique journey and redefine success on your terms.

 

Author

  • Laura Cohen

    Written by Laura Cohen, a Career Counsellor and Registered Counselling Therapist at Canada Career Counselling – Halifax. Laura is experienced working with clients in numerous industries including finance, the military, business, education, non-profit, arts, IT, and healthcare. She completed her MA in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. If you’d like to connect with Laura, email [email protected] to schedule a 15-minute complimentary consultation. You may be able to use your insurance plan or extended health benefits to cover counselling and assessment fees.

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