Want a diverse career that allows you to follow your passions? Maybe the nonlinear career path is for you.
In recent decades, the traditional trajectory of climbing the corporate ladder has been replaced by a more dynamic approach—the nonlinear career path—where employees explore various roles and develop a diverse set of skills in order to discover where their true interests lie.
At companies like VTS, the culture is centered on career exploration, offering employees the freedom to discover and pursue new interests across departments. This not only allows individuals to switch roles or career tracks but also fosters a sense of empowerment and growth.
We spoke to three women at VTS to understand how the company has supported their career shifts. In this article, we'll delve into the three key elements that make a company a haven for nonlinear growth: a culture of exploration, robust learning initiatives, and supportive leadership. Here’s how to know an employer wants to support your nontraditional career journey.
1. The company culture is centered on career exploration
When companies allow for internal career exploration, they show support for nonlinear career paths by recognizing that career growth isn't always a straight line. Employees feel encouraged to discover and pursue new interests across departments, take on different roles, or even switch career tracks entirely.
Data analyst Grace Burke attributes VTS’s exploration-friendly company culture to the employer’s core values. “At VTS, six core company values—Appreciate the Difference, Be Curious, Strive for Excellence, Be Customer Obsessed, Move as One, and Take Ownership—form the foundation of our culture,” Burke says. “These values have been instrumental in my success within the company.
“Since joining, I've experienced unwavering support, encouragement, and collaboration from both my teammates and managers. This environment has empowered me to identify areas for process improvement and take on additional responsibilities confidently.”
Anna Cheung, lead product manager at VTS, has had a similar experience. “My journey at VTS began as an intern, and from the very start, the company has been incredibly supportive of exploring various roles. I was initially hired onto the customer success team, where I helped onboard customers onto our platform. While that was my main role, I also had the opportunity to dip my toes into other responsibilities, such as managing the company’s social media accounts, event marketing, and even organize team events as the unofficial social chair. This diverse set of responsibilities allowed me to develop a wide array of skills and understand different parts of the business early on.”
Since then, she’s collaborated across departments to investigate various career paths. “Without the company’s openness to career exploration, along with the strong mentorship and support that I received, I might not have had the confidence or resources to make this career pivot,” she says.
2. The company has learning initiatives set up for your success
No career transition can be achieved without upskilling. Companies that support nonlinear careers know this—and have initiatives in place, whether formal or informal, to support the growth of their teams.
“VTS values mentorship and continuous learning,” says senior software engineer Maryna Voitenko. “When I first transitioned to an engineering role, I was given an opportunity to apprentice within the team of senior engineers. Even though it was extremely intimidating being an entry-level engineer and working with seasoned engineers who had multiple years of experience behind their backs, it pushed me to learn the ropes and accelerated the progress in my career.”
VTS also offers a learning and development allowance—the Be Curious & Appreciate the Difference Stipend—to each employee in order to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. This year, Burke used hers to invest in a SQL Training Bootcamp. In the past, Cheung used hers to land her current role in product management.
“I utilized this budget to take introductory courses in product management and purchase relevant books, which solidified my interest in the field,” Cheung says. “When a product manager position became available, the hiring team prioritized internal candidates, demonstrating VTS' commitment to employee development. I applied, interviewed, and was thrilled to be offered the role and I haven’t looked back since!”
3. Managers and leaders are the biggest cheerleaders
Managers and leaders set the tone and culture for the entire organization. When leaders actively encourage and celebrate diverse career journeys, they signal that exploring different roles and skill sets is not only accepted but valued.
“I started working at VTS as a QA analyst,” Voitenko says. “When I decided to pursue a software engineering career and shared my plans with my manager, I got full support. No empty promises were made.”
Voitenko was told that once she completed the bootcamp she’d selected, they would discuss the possibilities of her transitioning to an engineering role at VTS. “My manager wanted to make sure I took it seriously,” she says. Fast forward many years, and with VTS’s help, she’s successfully made the switch.
“The leaders at VTS excel in recognizing people's potential,” Burke says, who has previously held positions as a product associate, commercial property manager, and office manager. “Every manager and leader I've worked with has appreciated my diverse background, valuing my past experiences even when they differed significantly from my current role.”
Across the board, that advocacy and open-mindedness has made all the difference. “I can confidently say that I have found the role I want to make a career out of, and it’s thanks to the strong support of my managers, team members, and the opportunities provided by VTS,” Cheung says.
Leasing and asset management platform VTS aims to be commercial real estate’s modern operating system, and they’re looking for curious, driven, and customer-obsessed employees to help them reach that goal. Rated most highly for Paid Time Off, Employer Responsiveness, and The People You Work With, VTS has benefits like flexible PTO, 16 weeks paid leave for primary caregivers, and allowances for external learning opportunities. Click to learn more about the company and to explore their open positions!
