Podcast Summary: Squiggly Careers – Squiggly Shortcut: How to Feel More in Control of Your Career (Even in Uncertain Times)

Main Theme & Purpose:
This episode, hosted solo by Helen Tupper, focuses on how to create a sense of control and clarity in your career, even when times feel ambiguous or unpredictable. Helen acknowledges that in modern squiggly (non-linear) careers, total clarity is unrealistic but offers practical tools for building realistic, actionable clarity to help listeners feel more confident and proactive about their career development.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Clarity Caveat” (01:23)

• Helen’s Perspective: In squiggly careers, total clarity about the future is unattainable. Trying to plan every career move in advance is unrealistic, especially in uncertain times.
• Why Clarity Feels Important: Many people crave clarity for a sense of stability amid ambiguity, but it should be about controlling progress, not predicting every outcome.
• Memorable Quote:

  “We can't plan, predict, or control everything that is going to happen to us in work or outside of work… going into your career development with the expectation that you're going to be able to plan every move… is a little bit unrealistic.”
  (Helen, 01:24)

2. Three Practical Ways to Foster Career Clarity

A. Identify Your Progression Priorities (02:21)

• Actionable Tip: Review several job descriptions for roles that spark curiosity, not just ones you think you’re qualified for. Use LinkedIn as a source.
• Method: Look for words, statements, or sentences that resonate, regardless of whether you could apply for the job now. Highlight and compare across several roles to notice recurring themes.
• Purpose: These repeating elements suggest genuine interests and can become anchors for your progression priorities, providing direction even if you don’t know exactly what’s next.
• Memorable Quote:

  “Those are the things that you are particularly interested in. Those I think are guides for your career growth…”
  (Helen, 04:20)

B. Create a Vision Board (05:02)

• Why Use It: Vision boards help you integrate work goals with personal aspirations, ensuring your career clarity is set within the broader context of your life.
• How To: Collect images from magazines, Pinterest, or anywhere online that represent what you want for your future—not just work, but lifestyle, happiness, and values.
• Insight: Vision boards prompt reflection about whether your career goals are aligned with what actually makes you happy, looking at both work and life.
• Memorable Quote:

  “You have to set your work in the context of your life. And there are likely to be other things that make you happy, other things that will create clarity for you and your career and your future.”
  (Helen, 06:14)

C. Have Curious Career Conversations (07:05)

• Practical Advice: Reach out and talk to people who have experience or roles you’re interested in. These conversations are less about copying paths and more about collecting learning, insights, and inspirations.
• What to Ask: Ask about their learning moments, communities they participate in, and experiences that shaped their careers.
• Benefit: These collected insights can inform your own development plans and spark new possibilities.
• Memorable Quote:

  “Talking to people who have done what you want to do is very helpful for your development because they can tell you about how they've learned or who they spend time with or communities they are part of.”
  (Helen, 07:13)

3. The Importance of Flexible Clarity (08:18)

• Summary: These three methods—progression priorities, vision boards, and career conversations—provide a sense of control and clarity while keeping future options open.
• Takeaway: Clarity in a squiggly career is less about rigid plans and more about having informed, flexible direction.
• Memorable Quote:

  “It still means you're flexible for your future, but it also means that you're taking control and creating clarity for your growth.”
  (Helen, 08:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We can't plan, predict, or control everything… going into your career development with the expectation that you're going to be able to plan every move… is a little bit unrealistic.”
  (Helen, 01:24)
• “Those are the things that you are particularly interested in. Those I think are guides for your career growth…”
  (Helen, 04:20)
• “You have to set your work in the context of your life. And there are likely to be other things that make you happy…”
  (Helen, 06:14)
• “Talking to people who have done what you want to do is very helpful for your development…”
  (Helen, 07:13)
• “It still means you're flexible for your future, but it also means that you're taking control and creating clarity for your growth.”
  (Helen, 08:38)

Important Timestamps

• Clarity Caveat (Expectation-setting): 01:24
• Progression Priorities (Job descriptions): 02:21
• Vision Boards (Context and Life): 05:02
• Curious Career Conversations: 07:05
• Bringing It All Together (Flexible Clarity): 08:18

Episode Links & Extras

• Further Listening: In-depth episode on career clarity: Episode 274
• Contact: Feedback welcome at helen@amazingif.com

Tone & Style

Helen’s approach is direct, encouraging, and pragmatic, blending actionable tips with reassurance about the unpredictability of the modern career path. The advice is delivered with warmth and practical optimism, emphasizing self-reflection and ongoing growth over rigid planning.