You’re Not Climbing a Ladder. You’re Building a Mosaic
Why the Old Way of Doing Careers Is Over (and What to Do Instead)
By a Career Coach Who’s Seen It All
I’m a career coach who is approaching 50, which means I remember when the career ladder was "the" path. You picked a field, started at the bottom, worked hard, got promoted, and kept going up.
Back then, the goal was clear: move higher. Title by title, rung by rung.
And for a while, that made sense. The world was more stable. Companies rewarded loyalty. People stayed in one field, often in one job, for decades. Success was tidy, predictable, vertical. The career path was linear. It was clear how to "get ahead" and how to "be successful."
But here’s the truth I’ve learned from my own experience and from coaching hundreds of professionals of all ages:
The ladder is dead. And in its place is something far more dynamic, creative, and honest: the career mosaic.
The Old Model: The Career Ladder
Let’s take a moment to honor the ladder and understand why it no longer works the way it used to.
In the “olden days,” a career looked something like this:
Linear and vertical: Entry-level → Mid-level → Senior → Executive
One path, one company: You stuck around and climbed internally
Stability over variety: You didn’t rock the boat. You just kept climbing
Success = Title + Tenure: The higher you got, the more successful you were seen to be
For some, this worked. It offered structure, security, and a clear measure of progress. But today?
That ladder is missing rungs, leaning against crumbling walls, and no longer leading where we want to go.
Why the Ladder No Longer Works
We live in a different world now: fast, uncertain, and constantly shifting.
Industries change overnight
Roles disappear and reappear with new names
People are craving purpose, flexibility, autonomy, and fulfillment
Upward mobility isn’t always possible—and for many, it’s not even desirable anymore
This was never my path, and for many years I felt broken and ashamed. My career didn’t evolve in the traditional way of a ladder. What I unknowingly created was a mosaic, with many twists and turns. At the time, I didn’t realize it, but all those pivots and irregular moves made up a beautiful mosaic that I now teach to others.
The New Model: The Career Mosaic
Instead of a ladder, think of your career like a mosaic: a collection of diverse, meaningful tiles that form a rich, beautiful whole.
Nonlinear and multi-directional: Move sideways, try something new, freelance, take a break, or re-enter a new field
Build your own path: Craft your skills, interests, experiences, and values into something uniquely yours
Diverse experiences are an asset: Variety adds color, texture, and depth to your professional life
Success = Fulfillment + Impact + Adaptability: Success is about alignment, not just how high you climb
Each “tile” in your career—whether it’s a job, a side hustle, a volunteer project, a sabbatical, or a re-skill—adds to the bigger picture of who you are.
Ladder vs. Mosaic: A New Way to See Your Career
Why This Shift Matters (Especially Now)
Whether you’re in your 20s trying to launch or in your 40s or 50s looking to pivot, understanding the mosaic mindset will change how you see yourself — and your potential.
It frees you from outdated expectations.
It gives you permission to be curious, flexible, and real.
It values your whole self — not just your resume.
It prepares you for a world where change is the only constant.
Real Talk from a Career Coach Who’s Been There
To my fellow mid-career professionals:
If you’ve been stuck trying to “climb” something that no longer exists, let it go. You didn’t fail — the model failed you.
Now is your moment to step back, look at your mosaic, and decide what tiles are missing.
To my twenty-something readers:
You’re not behind. You’re not lost. You’re not broken.
You’re just building your mosaic, one piece at a time — and no one expects it to be finished yet.
You’re not climbing a ladder anymore — you’re building a mosaic.
Every twist, pause, project, and pivot adds depth to your unique career identity.
Final Thought
Your career isn’t a straight line — it’s a work of art in progress.
Honor every piece. Curate it with care. Trust that when you step back, the full picture will make more sense than you ever imagined.
