career stagnation used to be a phenomenon associated with just midlifers and senior-level professionals. Today, you might be just 3 or 5 years into your career and already feeling a lack of engagement at work or a sense of misalignment in your role and ambitions. It is imperative to recognise the early signs and take the necessary steps to revive the dead ends and bolster your career growth.
Reasons for more early career stagnation
Vaibhav Sisinty, Founder & CEO, GrowthSchool, defines early career stagnation as an “unsettling phase in one's professional journey where, despite the initial excitement and momentum of a new job, there seems to be little to no progression in terms of skills, responsibilities or even pay. Think of it as being stuck in professional quicksand; you're moving, but not really getting anywhere.”
According to him, there are several reasons why this phenomenon has become highly prevalent in recent times. One is the rapid pace of technological advancements. Although this promises innovation, it also necessitates continuous upskilling, failing which one can quickly fall behind. Another reason he states is that modern workspaces are highly competitive. This implies that “standing out and making significant progress early on can be challenging”.
On the other hand, Raghupathi C N, Director of MILES, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, describes early-stage career stagnation as “no upward change in role and responsibilities for 3 years or 5 years or 8 years and no opportunity for growth in skills”.
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While talking about the underlying causes of career stagnation, he takes us back in time to draw a comparison for better
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