Eric Eggertson has some thoughts on Elizabeth Albrycht’s post describing how companies with rigid, hierarchical job titles can’t cope with people who know a lot about many things.
I couldn’t agree more. When asked for my title, I tend to give a vague response, rather than my job title. I don’t want people to think that they can only discuss certain topics with me. As well, I don’t want to be restricted in my opportunities simply because of my job title.
I have had the benefit of spending 6 years in jobs that allowed me a great deal of latitude in expanding my areas of knowledge, while still challenging me with interesting internal projects.
I look at those people who get stuck with “she’s a programmer”, “he’s a creative”, or “she’s in sales” tags as having their entire life experience boiled down into a sound byte.
My life is not a sound byte (or bite); my life is a large canvas, and I am constantly adding to the picture. My life is a library that is always adding new volumes.
Remember that the people you work with are people.
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