The career expert named the pros and cons of combining several professions.
One of the most discussed trends in the modern labor market is polyworking, that is, combining several professions or projects at the same time. Svetlana Semerenko, a career expert at the Professions of the Future Center, told Izvestia on September 13 about the causes of this phenomenon, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
According to her, the popularity of such a working model is due to the high demand for hybrid specialists capable of solving a variety of tasks, as well as the development of educational technologies that allow them to quickly master the skills in demand.
The main and most obvious advantage of this approach for a specialist is financial stability: income from several independent sources serves as reliable insurance. If one project closes or a client leaves, others continue to bring in money, which softens the blow and gives time to find a replacement.
"Having multiple sources of income allows you not only to maintain financial balance, but also to focus on long—term goals without fear of sudden losses," Semerenko said.
The second key advantage is flexibility. Polyworkers often set their own schedule, choosing what to work on and what to give up. This allows you to harmoniously combine professional activities with personal life, hobbies and additional education.
Also, according to the expert, working in different fields makes you constantly learn and get out of your comfort zone. Skills acquired in one profession suddenly find application in another, forming a unique profile of a generalist specialist, who is especially appreciated in today's labor market.
However, this seemingly ideal model has its drawbacks, the expert warns. The first and most important of them is a high level of stress.
"The need to constantly switch between tasks, keep deadlines in mind for different projects, and always be in touch can quickly lead to emotional burnout. It takes iron self—discipline to keep up with everything and not reduce the quality of your work," she said.
In addition, there is a risk of losing focus. Chasing after different opportunities, you may never become a true professional in any of the fields, remaining an eternal "jack of all trades."
"This can interfere with deep professional immersion and building a classic vertical career in one company. Career growth in this format is more about horizontal development, expanding the range of projects and competencies, but not moving up the job ladder," the expert recalled.
A separate challenge for the polyworker is the ethical and legal risks associated with combining projects. It is important to openly discuss such employment with each employer, if required by contract or corporate rules. Hiding the fact of working for several companies can lead to a conflict of interest, violation of confidentiality and, as a result, dismissal and legal consequences.
Transparency and a clear division of tasks and time between projects are becoming not just rules of good taste, but a necessity for building long-term and trusting relationships with customers.
Summing up, the expert noted that polyworking is not a universal solution for everyone.
"This work model is optimal for multitasking and disciplined people who are ready for independent project search and high workload. At the same time, for those who seek stability and a clear career plan within the same company, the traditional employment model may turn out to be a more reliable and relaxed choice," Semerenko concluded.
Earlier, on April 22, it was reported that among the Russians surveyed, almost half (49%) gave priority to Moscow in workaholism. The capital is associated with a dynamic rhythm of life and high competition. St. Petersburg ranks second (25%), Novosibirsk is third (14%). This is stated in the results of a study of the services "Work.<url>" and "Part-time job".
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