This week (changes Wed): What Is the Shape of Your Future?

It's not an IBM work world out there. Many work & career experts tell us to expect to change jobs every two or three years. How can you make the best of that?

I recently talked to a dozen or so executive placement firms, and all of them told me I'll need to get used to changing jobs every 2-3 years. That's just how it is going to be. So now what? Do I move to a large city that has plenty of work opportunities for people in my "field"? Launch a career at Wal-Mart so I can get a job anywhere (the bartending job of the 90's)? My strategy is to move to a small town, miles from a city, and see what happens. -- Scott Walker

I can't imagine wanting it any other way. 2-3 years is enough time in any place, until I get centred enough to start my own business, at which time, I will be able to work wherever I want, and move or stay as I please. I know too many people who've been in jobs for 5-25 years who hate their jobs and their lives. At least this new way of mapping out one's career shakes people up, challenges them to do more, be more. Don't be afraid, know that this is a great time to be out there, starting your career, you have the opportunity to do it all. -- Kimmy

Remember to keep an eye out for that next job before you're ready to leave the current one! It can be a lot of work to update your resume after the fact, but it's pretty easy to add to it as you go. Take a look on the Web at the CareerSite service, too, since it can let you know when a job you'll really want comes along, with no real effort on your part. --Iain O'Cain

Staying computer literate and keeping constant with hanging Peripherals and software. I have a burning desire to work from my home anyway, so if I can stay current with computer resources then I can still make an income and be comfortable in my lifestyle. -- C Murphy

It can be exciting and stressful at the same time. You have to constantly upgrade your skills in order to keep up. You take on the role of 'fortune-teller' trying to predict where you'll be every 3-4 years. I rather relish the idea of a new job every 2-5 years because it gives me a chance to learn new skills and apply old ones in new ways. -- Chris M