With high- and low-end jobs becoming increasingly more automated and competitive through technological and global advancements, the need to diversify ourselves and our skill sets has taken on increased importance. Rare are the days of settling down into a  job and working up the ladder—that's been superseded by a new paradigm, which calls for lateral and lattice movements, upward mobility in the plural (untethered from a single company's track) and, when warranted, a complete 180-degree turn.

The process of staying informed, relevant, and prepared for the modern job market is best facilitated by reinventing yourself through lifelong learning.

Reinventing oneself is contingent on self-reflection—noting where you are and want to be, and utilizing the resources at your disposal to get there. Lifelong learning is one apparatus for self-reinvention, and alongside advancing knowledge and strengthening communities, it makes up a major part of the New York Public Library mission.

With the trajectory of careers for most no longer a straight shot within a singular company or organization, the need for individuals to take initiative in their own professional development and learn novel skills has become paramount. Here at NYPL, we offer a number of programs and resources to help you do just that—from resume-building workshops to networking tips, all available for free.

Nobody is immune to the winds of change. But some can weather the proverbial storm better than others. Those that can do so are akin to hearty flora, setting their roots deep and wide. If the soil in which they’ve grown becomes arid—or, if despite their best efforts, they still find themselves uprooted by powers outside of their control, they adapt and float like a feather, whether in a monsoon or a zephyr. Far from wilting, they do what they need to survive and thrive; they nurse their beds of soil, transplant themselves to greener pastures, or take to grafting—regardless of context—and continue to grow.

Though applicable to life on the whole, this metaphor best speaks to the enabling factor in our lives: our livelihoods.

You can find information for career service programs at your local branch at the NYPL Events page and/or visit the Career Service Center at SIBL for pro bono career coaching, job search resources, and more.