Got my dream job at 21 and stayed at the same place 12 years with a promotion every few years.

Got my dream job at 23 (public library) and still here at 40. Can't imagine ever retiring but I can imagine going part time or as a volunteer when I get past retirement age. In the same library system but switch branches every few years to keep things interesting.

4th career and I’m on year 23 with the 4th employer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 41 years old
2000-2002 McDonalds- high school
2002-2006 Wendy's- while attending college
2006-2009-Chevy Chase Bank
2009-2020 Capital one bank
2020---- Account for FBI

That's really specific. I hope no one finds you on LinkedIn

Who cares?

My longest was my first post MBA and that was 14 years. Managing your career is very important and my staying 14 years was too long. But, I got lucky then went 3 years, 5 years, 6 years and then another 6 years. To get ahead you have to move on and up.

6 years was my longest stint.

I've had 9 different employers over 24 years. Started at $32k, now make roughly low seven figures. Moving around helped build my value.

Mid-50s with 25 years working for my government agency. I’ve enjoyed many different roles and worked at different locations so it doesn’t feel like just one job, but there is consistency. Unfortunately I reached the pay cap about five years ago and am thinking it may be time to move on. I don’t relish the idea of another four years of no raises.

I’m at 10.5 years now and previous employer was 9.5.

Anonymous wrote:Been at my federal agency for over 30 years. Stayed due to work life balance. Started at about 19k as a grade 5 right out of college and now over 220k. Thought I’d never stay this long but I’m actually content. Planning to stay at least another 8 to 10 years.

DOGE did not target you?

20 years now. Started at $58. Now at $225 plus bonus in management. Plan another 10 years here and done. We have stock options too.

7 years is my longest. I’ve changed jobs numerous times during my career. I get bored and like new challenges.

If I had understood architecture is deeply tied to the economy, I would never have entered it since I do not come from wealth (hence, the lack of career advice) and needed steady income.
My longest stint at a firm was 5 years and then the celebrated decorator who fed my boss all his clients retired and the clientele dried up.
2 years at next firm, but the married bosses had an affair affect their partnership so to save their marriage they fired everyone during covid (gotta put the blame somewhere).
2 years at next corporate firm that was top heavy with middle managers and I was in the way of an ambitious team member who didn't have award winning projects behind them so the scheming to boot me out began the day I entered the company.
1 year at a terrible firm that lost its government contract because boss could not see his work was outdated and kind of ugly.

Prior to this I was a SAHM so I feel fortunate to have been able to get back in the game.
Well, since that last terrible firm experience I have been working on my own little projects and covering from the trauma. But I need to start working for real again but feel so jaded.

Every 3-5 years, not always by choice, got counseled out a couple of times. But now in a comfortable team lead job pulling 300k.

Anonymous wrote:I am 41 years old
2000-2002 McDonalds- high school
2002-2006 Wendy's- while attending college
2006-2009-Chevy Chase Bank
2009-2020 Capital one bank
2020---- Account for FBI

That's really specific. I hope no one finds you on LinkedIn

I interned, got hired and stayed with the same company for 26 years until I got let go. But, it did include a move from PA to VA after 5.5 and then many different positions until I got on the wrong side of management in a position that I never requested to have and couldn't get out of. Got a package to leave and was off for about 6 months. That was at a private company that did have global sales. Looking back, the writing was on the wall there much earlier and I just didn't want to see it.

Have been with the new company now for about 18 months and have moved into a very flexible role in project management versus day to day support. New company is much larger (like 20x) and publicly traded. So far, so good.