Growing up, many of us were told that careers follow a straight path.

Want to be an artist? Go to art school.

Want to be a scientist? Follow the scientific route.

Want to be an engineer? Take the traditional path.

It seemed simple. Linear. Or so we were led to believe.

But the truth is: Careers aren’t linear, they don’t have to be.

If you followed the traditional path and found success, that’s amazing. If you took a winding and unconventional path to get to where you are, that’s equally worthy of celebration. You’re doing what you love, and that's what matters.

Your journey, whether straight, zigzag, uphill, or through the woods, has shaped you. Every detour, pause, leap, and pivot has taught you something. You carry those lessons with you.

You are unique. You are resilient.

Career pivoting is no longer the exception. It is the new normal. My own career path proves it.

I started out studying Computer Science, believing that a clearly defined, logical route would lead me to the right career. My first internship was as a Content Writer for a tech company. I discovered I loved writing, especially when it meant breaking down complex ideas into something simple and engaging.

After that, I worked as an Analyst. It was a solid job, but somewhere along the way, I realised that I wanted a role that combined my love for data, tech, and writing. I decided to take a year-long break to pause and reflect. I spent that time asking questions about what I wanted, what I was good at, and what made me feel happy.

Eventually, I moved to a new country to pursue my Master’s. It was a big step, one filled with uncertainty, but also with hope.

Now, I volunteer as a Content Writer for Panelle while continuing the search for a role that feels right, not just on paper, but in my gut. I’m still figuring things out.

Each stop along the way has added something to who I am today. It wasn’t wasted time. It was growth. It was life, unfolding in its own unique rhythm.

Still, for many of us, the belief that careers must be linear is deeply ingrained. From a young age, we are told that if we step off the traditional path, we may be left behind. We hear things like 'stick to your plan' or 'you’ll fall behind if you change now.'

But what if you’re still figuring things out? What if your passions shift? What if your growth pulls you in a new direction?

Here are just a few of the many different paths people take, each one valid and worthy.

• Those who always knew what they wanted and stayed true to that dream.

• Those who started with one goal but found a different calling along the way.

• Those who reached their dream job only to realise it wasn’t their dream after all.

• Those who discovered passion mid-journey and embraced a new direction.

• Those still figuring it out, walking an uncertain, non-linear path with courage.

Each of these journeys is valid.

Sometimes, the pressure to follow a straight path doesn’t come from within, but from the world around us. Family expectations, societal standards, or even the education system can create a sense of urgency to 'figure it all out' early. But your journey doesn’t need to match someone else’s timeline. Growth isn’t a race. It’s a personal evolution.

And remember, behind every job title lies a story. An article in Forbes highlights how even well-known figures have taken unexpected routes.

For instance, Reshma Saujani began her career as a lawyer and later moved into politics. Although she lost her bid for Congress in 2010, the experience became a turning point. It inspired her to found Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organisation working to close the gender gap in technology. These are not failures or missteps. They are redirections. They are growth in action.

We grow at every checkpoint. We evolve at every rest stop. We are shaped by the people we meet, the lessons we learn, and the experiences we have, positive, negative, reflective, and mind-blowing.

Even when you reach your castle, your mountain, or your meadow, there may still be a road beyond it. Or maybe you’ll carve a new one. Because success isn’t always a throne. Sometimes, it’s waking up excited. Sometimes, it’s finding peace with uncertainty.

Sometimes, it’s balance. Whatever your path looks like, you’re not behind; you’re becoming.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

‍