A choosing a profession It's an important step in any student's life. But did you know that the field of study or work you choose won't necessarily determine your professional future?

Read more: Career planning: 8 steps to get started now!

This is because, thanks to the dynamism of the contemporary world, individuals can pursue their careers in different ways, regardless of their undergraduate course or profession.

Want to understand this topic better? Then keep reading to discover the main types of careers, whether it's possible to connect them, and how to find the most suitable option for you.

What are the main types of careers?

Due to the multiplicity of models, career types can be divided in several ways. Edgard Rodrigues, a professor at ESEG College, part of the Etapa Group, highlights two main groups:

• Freelance careers, which involve self-employed professionals, independent workers, and entrepreneurs;
• Professional careers, which includes employees from all types of institutions.

A slightly more detailed breakdown is what we will present next. Keep reading to find out!

Traditional career

The most classic career model – and therefore one of the best known – is the traditional one, in which employees dedicate many years to an organization, following a path that will lead them to medium- and long-term professional growth within the company. “In this model, individuals connect with an institution early in their professional lives, with the intention of building a… career plan "It brings benefits to both parties," explains Edmilson Motta, general coordinator of the Etapa Group.

Protean career

Quite popular among millennials¹, this option is more focused on individual goals. This type of professional tends to have a shorter tenure at the same institution, making work decisions based on opportunities that enable their own growth. personal development and the improvement in quality of life, for example.

Academic career

This type of career, in its classic conception, includes individuals who wish to... working in universities, ...as professors or researchers. To pursue this path, it is necessary to obtain a master's degree, a doctorate, and then climb the career ladder within a higher education institution.

Sociopolitical career

In this option, professionals should invest in good networking². “Having a degree in Administration, Social Sciences, Right, Economics or Public Management can also help individuals who wish to pursue this career path. If the professional wants to hold an elected office, it is necessary to have a prominent role within their own community,” explains Motta.

Entrepreneurial career

This type of career, which encompasses those who wish start your own business, It gained a new facet when associated with technological innovation. "When ideas emerge for applying technology to an older business model, as was the case with Uber in the transportation sector and iFood in the food industry, it's possible to enter the market in a very relevant way," Motta points out.

Y, W, and T-shaped career paths

Another classification, which stems precisely from the impact of technologies on companies, is the one that addresses Y, W, and T career paths. "The first option emerged a few years ago to give growth opportunities to those with excellent skills." technical capacity, "But they lacked the interest or profile for management positions," explains Edmilson Motta.

The W-shaped career path, in turn, comes from the union of hard skills e soft skills. Thus, professionals work sometimes in the technical area, and sometimes in team management.
Finally, those who follow the third career model have a very in-depth mastery in a specific area; but also possess a more general knowledge in several other fields. "This type of professional is usually seen in startups³ – institutions where specialists tend to get involved in projects as a whole," exemplifies the general coordinator of the Etapa Group.

Read more: Hard skills, soft skills, and people skills: why knowing and developing these skills is essential in the job market?

Is it possible to make connections between different career types?

Despite these divisions, professional possibilities can often intersect, allowing two or more career paths to coexist. For those interested in more than one option, this connection becomes quite advantageous.

Currently, there are cases where advanced academic training can be useful for positions within a professional career. "In Brazilian agribusiness, for example, there are positions where such in-depth prior knowledge is necessary that individuals choose to pursue a doctorate," emphasizes Motta.

The case of Luis von Ahn, Guatemalan researcher of Carnegie Mellon University The creator of the CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA systems and the Duolingo platform is an example of success in more than one career. "He achieved relevance in both entrepreneurship and academia, teaching at one of the world's leading computer science universities," Motta points out.

Another example of a personality who thrived in more than one area is Barack Obama. The former president of the United States graduated with a degree in Political Science from... Columbia University, He completed postgraduate studies in Law at Harvard Law School and later became a professor of Constitutional Law at... University of Chicago for 12 years, while advancing in his political career.

How do I figure out what kind of career to pursue?

Now that you have a better understanding of the main career types and realize that you don't need to stick to just one option, the next step is to determine which possibility or possibilities best suit your profile and professional plans. To do this, developing self-awareness is essential.

“Edgar Schein, from the School of Business at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), developed a method known as “Career Anchors.” It helps identify the skills, interests, motivations, and values of each individual, which can assist in choosing one or more types of career,” says Edgard Rodrigues, professor at ESEG College, part of the Etapa Group.

Reflecting on a few questions can help you understand which is the best path. To do so, you can answer questions such as:

• What are my skills?
• What do I enjoy doing currently?
• What do I aspire to achieve in the future?
• What are my life goals?
• What values will guide my decision?

Rodrigues also emphasizes the role of intuition in this discovery. “Sometimes, we are greatly influenced by external factors and follow the opinions of friends and family. By considering this matter without being swayed by suggestions, it is possible to reflect better on the possibilities that surround you,” he advises.

We hope this information about different career paths can help you make the right decision. Seeking specialized professional guidance can also assist you in this process.

Both Etapa School as for Faculty ESEG, from the Etapa Group We offer the Student Support Sector – a department that provides a range of resources to help our student community make informed choices. Want to know more? Then visit our websites to find out how these initiatives work.

¹Millennials: An English term used to refer to individuals belonging to Generation Y, which refers to individuals born between the early 1980s and the end of the 20th century.
Networking: A network of contacts that can contribute to the professional growth of individuals.
Startup: An English expression used to refer to companies whose purpose is to innovate a business model, product, or service.

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