“we’re never going to be just one thing”

Embracing a hyphenate identity is not just a self-defense mechanism — it’s a smart career decision.

Back in my finance days, my colleagues would frown when they interviewed people with vibrant lives outside of work. They assumed that creative hobbies, side businesses, and web projects would prevent a person from dedicating 100% of themselves to their job. Which… yeah. Giving all of yourself to a single job is pretty much impossible. You’re never supposed to mention family, friends, TV, sports, or art? Sounds like a boring office to work in! And even if you could make your job the primary focus of your life, that would be pretty dangerous. The role could be boring, fit you badly, run out of things to teach you, turn out to be a toxic workplace, or change or get eliminated while you’re in it.

Attention, employers: we’re never going to be just one thing. And let me tell you why that’s the luckiest break you’re ever going to get.

Amanda McLoughlin’s wonderful career advice for millennials