Why Millennial and Gen Z Therapists Are Job-Hopping
(Spoiler alert: It's not because we're disloyal or lazy!)
It’s no secret that millennials and Gen Z are doing things differently. For many of us, gone are the days of getting a job at 22, staying there for 40-50 years, then retiring (hopefully). This is true generally, but also includes the newer generation of therapists. We may be in our twenties or thirties and on our third, fourth, or fifth job. And we know how that looks on paper. But a resume does not tell the whole story.
There are many reasons why we approach our careers the way we do. But first, let’s get some clarifications out of the way.
We are NOT job hopping because we:
don’t want to work
are lazy
are unreliable
can’t commit to anything
are indecisive
are spoiled/too picky
want to take advantage of/manipulate our employers
are too distracted by our phones or avocado toast
With that being said - why is it that so many of us are job hopping? Here are the real reasons we switch jobs:
To facilitate forward momentum in our career
Sometimes we have to job hop in order to get a promotion, or advance in our field. We go where the opportunity is - nothing wrong with that!
To pursue better opportunities for more financial security, better schedules, healthier work-life balance, etc.
Our quality of life matters, and newer generations often value these things in a different way than previous ones. This doesn’t indicate laziness or lack of work ethic, but rather a shift in values - which is totally natural over time. And honestly, is probably a good thing.
To find a workplace that offers us fulfillment and enjoyment
We’re not naive - we know that any job or workplace has pros and cons. But we also know that it’s not too much to ask to like what we do. Finding an enjoyable & satisfying way to practice therapy (or any job) is an important part of the whole picture of our health.
To get out of situations that are unhealthy or harmful to ourselves or our clients
Sometimes we job hop for self-preservation - or worse, to narrowly escape potential ethical minefields. It’s a hard truth, but not all mental health agencies are functioning healthily. Some are not even running ethically or legally. I wouldn’t fault anyone for getting out of a situation like that to avoid doing further harm to themselves, or contributing to harm of clients.
To avoid settling or staying in environments that aren’t right for us (especially after seeing our parents/elders doing so at their own expense)
Some folks will begrudgingly but diligently do something they hate, or work someplace that makes them unhappy for years. They may do this simply for the sake of stability, or due to fear of the unknown. Newer generations, on the other hand… we’d rather not do that. We’ve watched our parents, grandparents, and acquaintances do this. And it doesn’t look appealing. So we’re willing to do the uncomfortable, inconvenient thing, for the hope of something better in the long run.
To adapt to changes in our lives & families
Life happens. And as life shifts around us, it only makes sense for us to shift with it. Maybe you’ve encountered some health issues, or decided to have kids, or your spouse wants to change careers. Perhaps you want to go back to school, or you need to take care of an aging parent. If big changes happen around you, that may require you to make some additional big changes. It’s not always ideal, but you have to do what’s right for you.
Older generations often talk about wanting things to be better for the future. Well, this is what that looks like. It looks messy, unfamiliar, and weird. But that’s change, y’all. It’s not fair to claim we want better for future generations, and then say, “…but not like THAT.”
Doing things differently is hard. It might not make sense to others, especially those from a different time. But change isn’t bad. In fact, I think we have a lot to gain from challenging the status quo and changing the way we approach work. If we want any hope of changing the system, we have to begin with its individual parts. And you guessed it - that’s us.
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