Brittany Harris-Nelson describes her career journey as "a frog moving across lily pads." Over the past decade, the 32-year-old has held 10 different jobs at six universities, from office manager to assistant director of student engagement. While her salary didn't skyrocket with each move, she gained benefits like extra paid leave and pension contributions—and, crucially, the skills needed for her dream role.
This approach, dubbed "lily padding," is a rising trend among Gen Z workers. According to a 2024 Randstad survey, the average tenure for Gen Z in their first five years is just 1.1 years, compared to 1.8 for millennials and nearly 3 for older generations. And it pays off: a UK study found that job-hoppers earn 31% more than those who stay put.
Adam Smiley Poswolsky, now a 42-year-old speaker and author, exemplifies this path. He jumped from the Peace Corps to Harvard teaching, film production, and even working on Barack Obama's campaign. Each role built a skillset that eventually led to his current career. "The skills I learned in that government job helped me as a writer, which then led to me writing a book, which led to my current career as a professional keynote speaker."
Nicola Grant, chief people officer at Hiscox, notes a broader shift: people want variety, pace, and skill-building over linear progression. Lucy Kemp of La Fosse agrees, calling lily padding "the future of work." She points out that remote work and AI have reduced peer learning, pushing workers to seek new challenges elsewhere.
For Harris-Nelson, the journey continues: "I see my career as an ongoing journey rather than a destination. I'm always learning and growing."
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