We grew up with the prospect of studying a science or learning an art and practicing it professionally throughout our lives. Choosing more careers was not a topic of discussion, as it was never an option. But, why is this happening?
If we look at it historically and sociologically, then we will find that from the past until today, people in all societies either choose or inherit a profession and follow it throughout or for most of their lives. The cases, which people do different jobs in their lives are mainly due to financial survival. For example, a person who works in the summer season in tourism on a Greek island, in the winter does some other work, such as working in a winter cinema or in a ski resort. The different jobs are chosen based on livelihood and not because of work interests or choices.
On the other hand, there are people who pursue two careers compulsorily and in different time given that their first career has an expiration date. A typical example is people, who are involved in sports, who are active professionally until a certain age and then are asked to decide, what to do in their later professional life. Usually, some of them choose coaching, while others choose business. There are, also, people who realize that one field of work does not suit them and switch to another. Finally, there is the category of people, who do different tasks, which, however, complement each other and are related to each other. For example, an actor may be involved in acting, directing and advertising at the same time.
However, in recent years the tendency of dual careers has begun and emerged. That is, people have a steady full-time job and at the same time have a part-time job or a freelance job of choice, which, however, has nothing to do with the professional object of their first job. This happens for two reasons. First, individuals have an education, which leads them to different career directions. For example, a Sociology graduate may be involved in research, education, administration and consulting. Second, people have many different interests. For this reason, we can meet a teacher who is also a chef, a computer programmer who is also a photographer, a strategic analyst who is also a music producer and so on. At this point, one might ask: How does it help a person to have 2 careers? Doesn’t it disorient him/her?
As paradoxical as it sounds, the coexistence of two different careers is full of benefits. Initially, it enhances individuals’ social and personal skills, such as creativity or problem solving, as each profession requires different skills. It, then, develops different perspectives and ideas. A strategic analyst, who is also a music producer, understands the rationality and realism of a situation from the first task and the passion and emotion from the second. Another advantage is that individuals can create more networks of partners / equals and make friends from different work and social settings that they would not otherwise be aware of. For instance, a teacher would hardly interact with a chef.
Another benefit of dual careers is that people become more flexible and independent, as they are not limited and dependent on a single job or a single job object. Their professional choices and alternatives are expanding and this offers them peace and freedom, since they do not need to think “If I am fired, what will I do?”. Certainly, we should not miss out on the benefits of the extra financial rewards that most people need.
Last but not least, the fact that different careers meet the diverse interests and needs of individuals, leading to a more complete professional life, which offers them satisfaction, pleasure, autonomy and personal development.
Although there are many positive aspects to a dual career, if one chooses it one will need to manage a few small, but not insurmountable issues. These are time management (many responsibilities need to be included in a program), high efficiency in two different professions (the second job is still a job and not a hobby), the minimum personal time, fatigue and the cost of training of the second job (they need the same qualifications, if it is done professionally). For these reasons, if a person wants to pursue two careers at the same time, he/she needs to think about how much he really wants it and how much it suits him/her to choose this path.
In conclusion, a dual career is now a viable and interesting career option, which is being chosen by more and more people, as different careers can work beneficially and mutually reinforcing to each other at every level. The most important benefit, however, is that people can satisfy their many and varied interests, as well as their curiosity, without having to be limited or lead to a one-way professional career.
This article contains copyright. Reproduction of all or part of this article may be done with the consent of the author or with reference to the website www.marialykousi.gr. The first publication was made at www.psychology.gr on 05/24/2022.