Career Aspiration System

Multidimensional Careers

What are Careers in the 21st Century like?

Careers in the 21st Century are multidimensional i.e., they involve more than one career track. This is different from “single-track” careers and career development in the past, e.g., a HR professional moving up in the HR line only. Most PMETs who get retrenched have single-track careers! NTU realises that equipping you with vocational or professional knowledge and skills alone is inadequate for work in the 21st Century workplace.

Think Multi-dimensional & Interdisciplinary

In your career development, think of multi-dimensional careers. Think of careers with more than one aspect (e.g., leadership or management needs, entrepreneurial or innovation requirements) as careers in the 21st Century involve interdisciplinary aspects. Multidimensional careers open up new opportunities and novel ways of thinking to help you advance your career. For interdisciplinary aspects to work in the 21st Century, you need to be able to collaborate and work with other professionals, which will require you to have people, communications and other skills that enable you to work effectively in a team context.

Unlike traditional careers which used to provide job security, your continued employment can no longer depend on your interest and qualification in a single vocation or profession. Think about:

How relevant your skills will be with emerging new technologies?
How ready will you be to “make-over” your career when you face an unexpected economic crisis?
What sorts of skills will help you switch quickly to an alternative career path?

The EPL approach to career development encourages you to learn skills that support multidimensional careers. These are transferable skills which will be relevant now and in the future. Find out more about the EPL Approach to Career Development.