I spent twelve years at my first job. When I started, it never dawned on me that I would look elsewhere. Interesting work, fun teammates – why leave? But about ten years in I found myself itching for change and new experiences. Trust me, I fought it hard. When presented with an exciting new opportunity to be part of a team tasked with developing online dispute resolution options for the province, I still spent countless sleepless night doubting my desire to take the plunge.

Like a first love, that ‘breakup’ was the hardest. As I near the end of my term with this latest project and move onto the next opportunity, I find the transition not only less angonizing, but welcomed. My professional world has expanded greatly and opened me up to new experiences, skills and most importantly, new people. What will the next project bring me? And the one after that?

Still I can’t help but wonder if my professional wanderlust is viewed as a detriment. Is there a stigma around those ‘job hoppers’ who seem to bounce from one opportunity to another? Is stability seen as the greatest attibute in this profession?

I would argue no. Each new experience enriches me professionally and allows me to bring a diverse skillset to the table. And like any good lawyer, I found an article to back me up. The Forbes article ‘ Ten Reasons Successful People Change Jobs More Often’ by Liz Ryan succinctly sums up my views on the value of ‘job hopping’. Ms. Ryan states:

The employers who can grow your flame the fastest, value you the most and give you the best learning experiences are the ones who value real accomplishments over old-fashioned notions of “stability” based on long tenure in one job.

Changing jobs allows you to:

1. Focus on the larger world outside your company’s walls.
2. Naturally encounter new experiences, new challenges and more range of muscle-building activities.
3. Accumulate new learning much faster by throwing yourself into new-job territory.
4. Re-establish your value and redefine yourself on your terms.
5. Become more comfortable interviewing and negotiating to get paid what you’re worth.
6. Evaluate employers more quickly.
7. Be more creative and energized about trying new things.
8. Weed out companies that won’t allow your brilliance to shine through.
9. Grow your reputation.
10. Expand your comfort zone.

Changing jobs isn’t for everyone but don’t let the fear of being labeled a ‘job hopper’ keep you from broadening your horizons. It is scary and hard to leave the folks you love and the work you know. Pretty sure I leave a bit of myself behind with each move, but what I gain far surpasses the loss.