Campfire #50: Five reasons why you should change your job frequently
Changing jobs frequently can be scary, but if you can manage it strategically, you’ll stay up to date, gain new skills and build a wide network that can open many more doors and opportunities for your future.
In this Campfire edition, we dive into the topic that has been generating significant discussions within the design community — why product designers should consider changing their jobs frequently, especially early in their careers.
While conventional wisdom may suggest that job stability and longevity are key, we’ll explore a different perspective highlighting the immense benefits of embracing change and seeking new opportunities.
It was a bright morning, and I was on the verge of another opportunity—an invitation to explore the unexplored territory and widen my horizons. I chose to leap, leaving behind the comfort of my typical design profession with a hint of anxious joy. I had no idea that this decision would open up a whole new world of possibilities and influence the course of my professional career.
Each new job brought unique projects, diverse teams, and fresh challenges, expanding my design capabilities. I learned to navigate different technologies, master new tools, and embrace different problem-solving approaches, becoming a highly adaptable and resourceful designer capable of tackling any challenge.
Each transition allowed me to immerse myself in new work environments and learn from experienced colleagues, absorbing best practices. Each company's unique perspective, innovative methodologies, and design philosophies enriched my creative approach, continuously elevating the quality of my work. This perpetual cycle of growth and improvement shaped me into the designer I am today.
Beyond skills, quality, and industry exposure, long-term job satisfaction became my focus. I discovered that job satisfaction lies in finding the right fit—immersing myself in vibrant company cultures, embracing dynamic teams, and relishing the thrill of new adventures. Embracing change and seeking new challenges nurtured my passion for design, providing excitement and opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
The people I met along the way were the most memorable part of my journey. I built a diverse professional network through frequent job changes, connecting with individuals from varied backgrounds and expertise. These connections provided support, inspiration, and collaborative opportunities, propelling my career to new heights. Building this network allowed me to learn, share knowledge, and confidently navigate the design industry.
Five reasons why you should change your job frequently
As designers, we constantly seek inspiration, knowledge, and fresh perspectives to fuel our creative endeavors. Let's explore the advantages of embracing change and seeking new opportunities in detail.
Broaden your skillset
By changing jobs frequently, product designers have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and tackle different challenges. Each new role brings unique requirements, technologies, and methodologies, allowing designers to expand their skill sets. They can gain expertise in various design tools, learn different design philosophies, and develop versatile problem-solving capabilities.
This versatility makes them adaptable and resourceful professionals, capable of approaching design challenges from different angles. By continuously broadening their skill set, designers become more valuable assets to future clients and increase their career opportunities.
Negotiating quality
Frequent job changes enable product designers to continually refine and improve their work quality. Exposing themselves to different work environments and teams gives them insights into various design practices and processes. They can learn from experienced colleagues, observe new approaches, and incorporate the best practices into their work.
Furthermore, new companies often offer fresh perspectives and innovative methodologies that can enhance a designer's problem-solving abilities. This exposure to diverse work environments helps designers refine their craft, raising the bar for their design quality and ensuring they stay at the forefront of industry trends.
Exposure to new industries and roles
Changing jobs frequently allows product designers to explore different industries and roles. This exposure helps them broaden their understanding of various markets and gain insights into specific user needs and market dynamics. Designers who have worked in multiple industries bring a wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives to their work. They can apply cross-industry insights and adapt successful design strategies to new contexts.
Moreover, experiencing different roles within design teams (interaction design, user research, or visual design) allows designers to discover their strengths and passions, guiding their career trajectories toward areas where they can excel and find fulfillment.
Improve long-term job satisfaction
Stagnation and monotony can hinder professional growth and job satisfaction. By changing jobs early in their career, product designers can proactively seek new challenges, preventing complacency and fueling motivation. New roles bring exciting opportunities to learn, innovate, and make a meaningful impact.
Each transition exposes designers to different company cultures, team dynamics, and work environments, enabling them to find the ideal fit for their preferences and aspirations. This active pursuit of job satisfaction contributes to higher engagement, fulfillment, and overall career enjoyment.
Expand your network
A robust professional network is invaluable in the design industry. By changing jobs frequently, product designers can connect with a wide range of professionals across different organizations. Each new job brings an opportunity to build relationships with colleagues, mentors, industry leaders, and potential collaborators.
These connections can provide access to new opportunities, knowledge sharing, and support throughout a designer's career. Building a diverse network fosters collaboration, facilitates learning from others, and opens doors to future career advancements.
In summary, frequent job changes early in a product designer's career offer numerous advantages. They enable designers to broaden their skill set, continuously improve the quality of their work, gain exposure to new industries and roles, enhance long-term job satisfaction, and expand their professional network.
Embracing change and seeking new challenges supports personal growth and positions designers as versatile and adaptable professionals in an ever-evolving industry.