The case for the lateral career move
Why “up” isn’t your only option
The corporate ladder forces us into focusing on vertical progression. If you’re not moving up, you’re not moving. We equate success to upward mobility, doing everything we can to get that next big promotion. This tunnel-vision approach is restrictive and uninspired — leading us to stay in dead-end jobs we don’t care about. And the data doesn’t lie: more than 50 percent of U.S. workers are unhappy in their jobs. So how can we shift the narrative?
Where I began: HR
I started my career in HR at a large government contractor. I didn’t study HR in college, nor did I feel passionate about defense or aerospace. Truthfully, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I took the first job I could find.
With that uncertain start to my career, it’s no surprise that I didn’t love HR or the company I worked for. The fleeting moments of pleasure I found in my job were the one-off occasions when I got to write. I wasn’t picky; I wrote department-wide emails for executives. I penned event invitations and descriptions. I drafted corporate policies and procedures. I became known as “that person in HR who can write.”
I worked closely with the Marketing & Communication department, which led me to look for opportunities on that team. I emailed, called and met with anyone who was willing and had the time. I participated in marketing focus groups and joined the company’s internal news bureau. At the height of my search, I met with a direct report to the CMO of the organization. Despite my persistence, no one — not even the CMO’s direct report — could help me find a job on the MarCom team. So, I continued my job search externally.
Where I went: marketing pursuits
After months of applications, interviews and rejection emails, I landed a job on an internal marketing team at a top construction firm. The salary was slightly lower than my last job and the company offered fewer benefits, but I was finally doing marketing and communications. I was moving in the right direction — and it wasn’t up.
My role mainly included writing and designing proposals for project management (PM) teams. I crafted the story that the PM team wanted to sell to clients, and they did the selling. I enjoyed the work at first — my days filled with words, graphics and research. My coworkers were smart and unquestionably Type A like myself. I even joined a couple of industry associations and picked up responsibilities outside of my immediate team. But, after a year and a half, it hit me again. That same prickly feeling I had during my time in HR. Slowly, the workdays became monotonous, and I grew tired and apathetic. What was wrong with me? Was I bored? Or did I hate my job?
I was passionate about marketing, just not this type of marketing. There were opportunities for originality and storytelling, but those opportunities were limited and had clear boundaries. Every proposal was different and the same simultaneously. My mentor at the time gave me this advice that helped me decide to leave my job:
Pursuits marketing curates a specific skillset. The longer you stay in pursuits, the more difficult it becomes to branch out into other facets of marketing.
With that wisdom in my back pocket, I began yet another job search to find a marketing role rooted in free-thinking, imagination and artistry.
Where I am: integrated marketing
Currently, I work at a small marketing agency, serving top B2B technology organizations and doing everything from content writing to media buys to messaging. With fewer than 40 employees, the agency promotes an entrepreneurial spirit and an all-hands-on-deck attitude. I’m the first to raise my hand for the newest committee, project or initiative because I genuinely love my job. Now, I don’t love every second; I don’t even love every day. But my team allows me to be ambitious, creative and bold with the utmost support and encouragement. After working for three companies in three different industries and three different fields, I’ve finally found a place I can see myself in for the long haul. Home.
So what?
For generations, people have followed the same career path: get a job → get promoted → retire. To this day, it is considered taboo and risky to take a new job for equal — or God forbid — less pay than your current or last job. My family and friends questioned my decisions and motives as I hopped horizontally, twice. Why did I keep accepting the same (or lower) salary and job title?
I made two lateral career moves because I prioritized happiness and fulfillment over money and seniority. I refused to succumb to the pressures of doing the “sensible” thing when it came to my career. We spend too much of our lives working to waste it on jobs we despise.
If you’re considering a job change that isn’t a step up, rethink how you define “step up.” Sure, it might not be that big promotion with a sizable raise, but will it bring you joy? Will it challenge you? Will it give you the chance to make a real, tangible impact?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, a lateral career move might be for you. Remember: It’s okay to look at what’s next to you or behind you. It’s okay to try something new, and when it doesn’t work out, it’s okay to try something else.
Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, break that ladder into pieces and build the career you want.
