Whether to Specialize or Generalize in Todays Job Market - Your Career Intel

Whether to Specialize or Generalize in Todays Job Market - Your Career IntelThe catch phrase in todays work world is gig economy. A study by software company Intuit suggests that by 2020 40% of Americans will be freelancers, contractors or temp workers. That means 60% will be regular full-time employees. But a full-time job doesnt promise anything anymore. The economy is changeable and external factors threaten job security. Whether freelancer or regular employee, many workers wonder how best to plan their career specialize or generalize?What is Job Specialization? People who specialize have one skill (or a few) that they do better and faster than anyone else. In a company, the specialist becomes the go-to person for a specific area. Specialization can also mean a particular skill within an occupation. A photographer might specialize in doing only family and baby photos while staying away from weddings or modeling shoots.Benefits of SpecializationA specialist has marketable job skill s that can merit employment in any number of industries. The esoteric knowledge of a specialist adds value for a company.A defined skill set increases respect among co-workers. Specialists operate in different parts of the company, which means people depend on their expertise.Job satisfaction is a byproduct of specialization. Specialist usually enjoy their work and gain satisfaction from solving problems.A specialist career frequently leads to higher earnings. Since specializing takes time (study, certification, etc.) and the positions are narrowly defined, the salaries tend to be higher.Disadvantages of Job SpecializationDoing the same work over and over can lead to boredom and burn out.With technology and innovation redefining work daily, the risk of obsolescence is high. Todays valued skill today can quickly become tomorrows buggy whip.The narrow field and a specific skill set of a specialist can result in career inflexibility.Although specialists can expect better earnings, a na rrowly defined job means fewer job openings.What Is Job Generalization?The most common definition of a generalist is, jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none. Generalists have a broad sortiment of skills and experience within a specific field. A marketing generalist might know something print advertizing, digital media placement, email campaigns and brand building without knowing the minutia of each.Benefits of GeneralizationIn a fickle workplace transferable skills are increasingly important. Managing employees, for example, is a key skill no matter what the industry.With broad understanding of a topic and transferable skills, career opportunities expand for generalists.Generalists may be better at navigating uncertainty. Research by Professor Phillip E. shows that generalists are better than experts at predicting outcomes. In an uncertain world, this may give generalists an edge.Disadvantages of GeneralizationThe most common criticism against generalists is they sacrifice depth for bre adth. Increased complexity can mean a lack of in-depth understanding and missing vital information.Generalists, who work various positions with loosely defined responsibilities, may find job security iffy.Generalist v. Specialist, Which Is Best?There is no right answer for which to choose. Career goals play a role. Specialists often become high-level consultants, giving them a degree of autonomy. For those wanting to move up the corporate ladder, a generalized skill set serves executives who must have knowledge in many areas.

The WayUp Guide To A Perfectly Productive (And Fun) Winter Break

The WayUp Guide To A Perfectly Productive (And Fun) Winter BreakThe WayUp Guide To A Perfectly Productive (And Fun) Winter BreakWinter break can be long. According to a straw poll of folks at the WayUp office, breaks can last anywhere from a measly two weeks (Seriously, UPenn?) to a luxurioussix (Bless you, NYU. VioletPride).For most people, lets say, it falls somewhere in the middle. That means youve got a month to yourself. And no ones saying you have to go crazy with work during it. Its your free time and you totally earned it.But, at the same time, there really isnt a world in which you need every hour of a month entirely dedicated to chilling. Plus, in a way, preventing future stress is sort of like relaxing (but, like, in the future tense).So, with that being said, here are four things to keep on your winter break checklist that are aya to lead to happier, more fulfilling (but still entirely relaxing) winter break.1. Stay Healthy (And Happy)Uhhh, results may vary.That sedentary lifestyle can kick in a littletoo hard over winter break. Its cold. Theres nothing on the agenda. Plus, you stayed up really late last night. Thats a recipe for a couch/bed-locked disaster day.Were not saying you have to be the guy from P90x or anything, but getting some exercise can really help with your mood and general energy.We know you dont have your schools gym to go to, but see if you can borrow your dads YMCA card or a friends sports club membership on their off day. A treadmill, a weight room, and an indoor pool all offer much warmer venues for exercise than the great outdoors. Plus, there are tons of workouts you can do at home, no equipment required.2. Apply For Internships (OrYikesYour First Full-Time Job)By following this guide, Kiefer. Duh.For the first time in a long time, youve got time. Use it wisely.It might be hard to comprehend, but recruitment for many of the summers best internship programs (and even entry-level job openings) has already begun. We get it, you were too busy doing school and life and everything else first semester to think about applying for your dream summer position. Thats why now is the time to strike.Here are a few tips to get yourself into fighting shape for application season (crafting a perfect resume, updating your angeschlossen profiles, writing quality cover letters, and finding the right jobs to apply to).3. Read A Single Book (For Fun)You can go to Starbucks and flex on all the screen-watchers.Theres so much to watch. Andwe really believe thistheres no shame in TV or movies. Theyre art, too. But scientists (and every English teacher youve ever had) will tell you that there is legitimately something different about what reading does for your brain. It makes you more empathetic. It makes your brain work better. Plus, it also makes you more interesting to talk to.Space it out over however long you decide. Do it before you go to bed or while you eat breakfast. Just get it done. If you pick a classic (or even a mode rn classic), then chances are you willnotregret it.4. Make Some Money And Beef Up Your ResumeMake it rainmoderately.This ones for the real go-getters. You know how much a semesters worth of fun costs. You also know how much time a part-time job can actually take upespecially a campus-based job. Plus, theres always your actual school work.So, winter break might be the perfect time to stock up on some funds AND beef up your resume for all the summer internships (or full-time jobs) youre going to apply to in a not-so-distant future.But getting that bread doesnt have to mean donning the mask of delivery driver for your local sandwich spot, either. There are plenty of ways that college students can make money without putting their entire life on hold. Heres a quick list of awesome side hustles that will beef up your wallet (and your resume).If you manage to nail behauptung steps, youll be headed back to school in fighting shape. Let the winter chill-but-not-too-chill begin