The days of climbing the corporate ladder are gradually fading, as today’s workforce redefines what success looks like. Increasingly, employees are embracing the concept of the ‘squiggly career’, a term coined by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis at training and development company Amazing If. It describes a non-linear path shaped by frequent changes in role, industry or job function, rather than the traditional climb up the corporate hierarchy.

Today’s professional journeys look remarkably different from traditional models, with careers taking winding routes that move sideways, diagonally and sometimes even backward before surging forward. The uptake of squiggly careers offers a more adaptable, personalised approach, allowing people to navigate based on evolving skills, interests or life circumstances, regardless of role or sector.

This shift is largely fuelled by a growing desire for continuous learning and development. Most employees (84 per cent) believe that learning adds purpose to their work. And as the CIPD reports, people are working longer: employment rates for 50 to 64 year olds have risen from 55 per cent in 1984 to 70 per cent last year. 

This means squiggly careers offer a way to reinvent oneself multiple times instead of  stagnating. When opportunities for skills building or personal growth are lacking, many seek them elsewhere. Businesses, alongside the government, need to adapt to this pattern of job mobility, creating space for upskilling and retraining, making skills more transferable and boosting the economy.

How do squiggly careers work?

Many feel the traditional career path can limit potential and stifle growth. According to a 2023 Gartner survey, only 46 per cent of employees feel supported in their career development. A squiggly career isn’t job hopping for novelty’s sake, it’s about prioritising personal goals, development and building a fulfilling career.

These paths are guided by passions and values. Rather than following a predefined route, individuals make intentional decisions aligned to their long-term goals.

Why are they becoming more common?

A key factor is the changing world of work, including automation and AI. As some jobs disappear and others emerge, relying on a single, upwards path is no longer realistic. Career growth is now about adapting through building flexible and transferable skills.

Younger generations are driven by purpose, autonomy and growth. According to Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, 89 per cent of Gen Z and 92 per cent of millennials consider purpose important for job satisfaction. Around 44 per cent of Gen Z and 45 per cent of millennials have left jobs they felt lacked purpose, often shifting roles or industries to find better alignment, even if it meant a lateral or backward move.

Another driver is organisational restructuring. Companies are becoming more agile and cross functional. Workplaces are shifting away from traditional career ladders toward flatter structures, where growth comes from new projects, expanding skills or changing specialisations, encouraging a ‘squiggly’ approach.

The advantages 

Squiggly careers foster resilience and adaptability in today’s changing job market. Experience across roles and industries builds versatile skills, boosts creativity and expands professional networks. These benefits translate into more innovative, agile teams.

Companies that embrace non-linear career paths gain advantages through diverse skillsets. These employees can also improve innovation by transferring ideas between disciplines and translating them to new functions. They are also better able to adapt to organisational shifts and promote continuous learning.

To make the most of squiggly careers, businesses should embrace flexible frameworks, recognise transferable skills over rigid requirements and create pathways for cross-functional moves. Skills policy can support this shift by funding lifelong learning and incentivising reskilling for emerging sectors. This widens talent pools, fosters innovation and enables faster adaptation to market change, making the squiggly career a strategic advantage.

In a world shaped by constant change, the ability to pivot, adapt and redefine is essential. Whether driven by curiosity, changing interests or external shifts, a non-linear path can lead to deeper satisfaction, broader skills and more meaningful work. As careers become less fixed and more personal, embracing flexibility and self direction will be key to thriving at any career stage and in any sector.

Emma O’Dell is skills and capability director at education and training provider BPP