Career Journey Like a Frog on Lily Pads
Brittany Harris-Nelson has held 10 different jobs at six universities over the last decade.
She describes her career path as similar to "a frog moving across lily pads".
"Each step brought me closer to where I ultimately wanted to be, even if the path wasn't always linear,"
said the 32-year-old.
Currently, Harris-Nelson works in a mid-level administrative role at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a position she had long aspired to.
To reach this role, she transitioned between various college jobs for nearly ten years, acquiring specialised skills that aided her career progression.
In total, she has held 10 different positions across six universities during the past decade, beginning with several roles while she was a student and then three full-time positions.
Her roles have included office manager, admissions counsellor, and student advisor before becoming assistant director of student engagement.
Although she prefers not to disclose her current salary, she notes that her pay did not significantly increase with each job change. However, she gained additional benefits such as extra paid leave and enhanced pension contributions from employers.
"Each role helped me build skills and perspectives that I didn't yet have, and together those experiences prepared me for the work I do today,"
Gen Z Embraces Job Hopping
Industry experts have identified a new trend among Gen Z workers (born 1997–2012) called "lily padding".
This trend involves young adults moving frequently between jobs to enhance their skills and improve prospects for senior roles and higher salaries, rather than remaining in one position or company. The goal is to accelerate employability.
Data supports this trend. According to a 2024 global survey of 11,250 workers by recruitment agency Randstad, the average tenure of a Gen Z employee in the first five years of their career is 1.1 years, compared to 1.8 years for millennials (born 1981–1996) and nearly three years for older generations.
Increased job mobility correlates with higher salaries, at least in the UK. A 2025 report by financial company Wealthify found that individuals who changed jobs four or more times in the past decade earned an average of £39,276, compared to £30,088 for others — a 31% premium.
Those who identify with the "lily padding" career strategy continuously seek new opportunities.
This is exemplified by Adam Smiley Poswolsky, a 42-year-old public speaker and author who discusses workplace culture improvement.
Based in San Francisco, Poswolsky says the traditional career ladder approach of staying at one company and advancing did not suit him. Instead, he sought "meaning and purpose" in his work and life.
To achieve this, he transitioned across government, non-profit, creative, and corporate sectors, holding numerous jobs over 15 years.
His roles have included project leader for the Peace Corps, an English teacher at Harvard University, location scout for Warner Bros, film producer in New York City, participant in Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, public speaker at a youth leadership programme, and fellow at a think tank.
Throughout his career, Poswolsky aimed to find engaging work and develop skills that led to his current roles as author and well-paid public speaker.
"In each of my jumps, I was very clear on being ready for something new, but I also knew the skillset I was taking from one experience to the next,"
He is pleased to have found flexibility and happiness through this career path rather than a traditional corporate ladder. He also eventually matched the $70,000 (£52,000) salary he earned at the Peace Corps at age 28.
"The skills I learned in that government job helped me as a writer, which then led to me writing a book, which led to my current career as a professional keynote speaker."
Desire for Variety and Growth
Nicola Grant, chief people officer at UK insurance provider Hiscox, observes a broader shift in career perspectives.
She notes that especially early in their careers, people increasingly want to accumulate a broad range of experiences quickly rather than follow a single, linear trajectory. They aim to build a diverse skill portfolio.
Grant has also observed that younger employees are more willing to move on if they feel their development is stagnating or opportunities are limited.
"Expectations have changed; people want variety, pace and to build skills that will remain relevant,"
"It's about a desire for growth."
"That ultimately benefits both the individual and the organisation,"
Lucy Kemp, strategic brand and communications leader at IT company La Fosse and employee experience specialist, concurs.
She views lily padding not as a passing trend but as the future of work, with individuals aiming for more senior roles and better pay.
"Younger people have seen that loyalty doesn't pay off,"
"They want to shape their own careers, based on skills they value.
There's a different sense of achievement compared to older generations, a completely different experience of work,"
Kemp also highlights that since the pandemic, in-office peer learning has declined due to remote work and AI automating basic tasks.
Consequently, people focus on acquiring skills that will remain relevant in five years. They achieve this by switching projects, sectors, or companies to learn new things and find purpose.
Harris-Nelson shares this perspective.
"I see my career as an ongoing journey rather than a destination,"
"I'm always learning and growing."
