Jobs and careers move in cycles.
When we start a new role, we are learning a lot about the responsibilities, the organization, the team, and the projects. The job is getting done. However, we are primarily following directions and process. This is the time of personal growth. On average, it takes us about a year to fully come up to speed in our role.
After the period of growth, year 2 is where we give back. We take what we’ve learned and sprinkle in our knowledge and unique perspectives from past experiences. This is the time when the most innovation occurs, and the role is taken to the next level.
At the end of year two, many need to start looking for their next role. We become bored and are looking for new challenges. The “new” could be a move to a new team, a promotion, a significant career change, or even a new project added to our current role.
My Story
Early in my career, 2-2 ½ year moves were like clockwork. I was at General Motors and there were many opportunities for rotations and new experiences. During the first 10 years, experiences crossed 3 departments, 3 levels, and 2 disciplines (engineering & market research). The cycle was working as I grew and then gave back in each role.
The next 10 years, the process slowed a bit as I moved to the Saturn brand. During these years, I was in just 1 department and 1 level. However, I shifted to new roles every 2 years enabling me to gain experience in 5 different marketing disciplines – brand positioning, CRM, digital marketing, media planning, and overall marketing communications strategy. While my department and levels narrowed, I felt the benefits of the cycle by taking lateral moves on a regular basis across the marketing team.
As my career matured and I moved from General Motors to MRM (a marketing agency), the process here was different. During these years, there were 2 departments, 3 levels, and 3 roles. While this seems OK on the surface, the challenge was that there was 1 role at 1 level for 7 years.
As you get further along in your career and at higher levels, it becomes more difficult to find those new opportunities. There is a lot of soul searching to determine how to avoid becoming bored and stuck.
For me, I did a few things. I focused on coaching and growing the team, tried to make sure I had projects of my own to keep my mind active, and pursued some passions outside of work to keep my mind active on new things – this included taking photography classes, making jewelry, and writing.
Your Turn
Has your career followed 2-year cycles?
Do you feel like the first year is soaking in and growing while year two is innovation and giving back?
Have you ever been in a role for too long? If so, what did you do to keep yourself engaged?