In recent years, those just entering the workforce have been alternating between occupations more frequently. Whether this practice has been beneficial to workers or not has been a subject of fierce debate. While some believe that changing jobs equips young people with a more expansive skill set, I contend that it is more likely to impair one’s career due to a hesitation on the part of companies to hire employees who change jobs constantly.
One major reason behind the rise of this phenomenon is that young people are still seeking their passions. As many are unclear about their career path, they try out jobs to discover what they would enjoy pursuing professionally. If they are dissatisfied with a given position, young people will find another job that better suits them. The other key reason is young people want to be equipped with a diverse skill set. As different jobs utilize different knowledge bases, young people often find it advantageous to acquire a wide-ranging variety of professional skills. Therefore, in the future when a new job is offered to them, youths will be better prepared for the work entailed in this position.
However, this phenomenon has negative effects on workers as companies are reluctant to hire for uncertainty. Employers often hold a prejudice against those who frequently alternate between occupations as they think a person who does so will not be able to contribute to their company long-term. To cite an example, according to a survey conducted by Forbes in 2011, 70% of American employers would reject hiring so-called “job hoppers” on the basis that they want prospective employees to devote themselves to a company in the long run. These employers have also expressed that if someone cannot promise to remain loyal to their company, then it would be counterproductive to hire and commit resources to them. Based on this study, it is justifiable to claim that constantly changing jobs can hinder a person’s career.
In conclusion, young people change jobs to acquire multiple skills and find out what they desire to do in their careers. However, I contend that the drawbacks are much more substantial since this might impede one’s career opportunities. Nonetheless, it can be predicted that young people’s careers will continue to change in their search for true passions.