The Myth of One Career: What Young People Need to Know About Their Working Life

Gone are the days when a person trained for a job at 18 and retired from the same profession at 65. The world of work has changed dramatically — and for young people entering the workforce today, career pathways are no longer linear, predictable, or lifelong. As a parent or supporter of a young adult, understanding these changes is key to helping them thrive in a fast-moving employment landscape.

How Many Careers Will a Young Person Likely Have?

The research is clear: young people today will have multiple careers — not just multiple jobs.

• Estimates vary, but many experts suggest that the average person will change careers 5 to 7 times in their working life.

• These shifts aren't just between employers, but between industries and roles — a marketing assistant today could become a UX designer, teacher, business analyst, or wellness coach tomorrow.

• The rise of automation, AI, and the gig economy has accelerated this trend. Roles that exist now may not exist in ten years, and new industries will emerge that don’t yet have names.

This means that adaptability, self-awareness, and lifelong learning are more important than ever.

What This Means for Young People Entering the Workforce

For today’s school leavers and graduates, this new reality can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Many are asking:

• “How do I choose the right career if I’ll probably change it anyway?”

• “What if I make the wrong choice?”

• “How do I future-proof my skills?”

The truth is, the goal isn’t to choose a forever-career — it’s to learn how to navigate change, build transferable skills, and stay curious and open to new opportunities.

Three Ways Parents Can Support Their Young Adults in a Multi-Career World

1. Shift the Conversation

Instead of asking “What do you want to be when you grow up?” ask “What problems do you want to solve?” or “What kind of lifestyle do you want?” Help them focus on values, interests, and strengths — not just job titles.

2. Encourage Resilience and Exploration

Changing careers isn’t failure — it’s reality. Support your child to try different things early on: internships, short courses, volunteering, side hustles. Every experience helps clarify what they like and what they don’t.

3. Bring in Expert Support

Career development is a skill, and not everyone knows how to plan a flexible, meaningful career path. That’s where a trained career practitioner can help.

How a Career Practitioner Can Help

As a CDANZ-registered career practitioner, I work with young adults to:

• Explore their interests, strengths, and motivations

• Navigate career uncertainty with confidence

• Build adaptable job search and CV skills

• Understand how to thrive in a fast-changing job market

Whether your child is stuck, starting out, or pivoting toward something new, they don’t have to figure it all out alone. Let’s help them get started on the right path for right now, knowing they’ll grow and evolve along the way.