Abhijit Bhaduri

ur times are filled with incredible changes personally, culturally, and economically thanks to amazing technological progress and our ability to connect across boundaries As everything around us shifts dramatically, it’s clear that our careers will also take fascinating turns in this new era.

It used to be said that a person might switch careers two or three times in a lifetime. The futurists tell us that we will be managing tentwelve careers during our lifetime. Education is no longer a guarantee of either employment or employability. What will careers look like in a world of work disrupted by Artificial Intelligence?

Abhijit Bhaduri’s books always have memorable and intriguing titles His last book was called “Dreamers and Unicorns –why leadership, talent and culture are the new growth drivers " He wrote other non fiction books like“The Digital Tsunami," "Don’t Hire the Best,". He started off his career as a writer with two works of fiction. The ever popular "Mediocre but Arrogant" and the sequel "Married But Available"). His latest book "Career 3.0 – Six Skills You Must Have to Succeed” is another relevant masterpiece for our times.

The title sparks curiosity If the future is nudging us towards Career 3 0, is there a Career 1 0 or Career 2 0 that precedes this? We caught up with Abhijit to delve into his book and what it means to embrace Career 3 0

CAREER 1.0 TO CAREER 3.0: A PARADIGM SHIFT

The term "Career 3.0" encapsulates a mindset where skills are monetized across multiple marketplaces. Traditional career models, represented by Career 1.0, involve learning, earning, and retiring. However, this model is losing its effectiveness, with only 23% of employees engaged at work, according to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace 2023 report.

Career 2.0 introduced the idea of monetizing skills in different marketplaces. Individuals, like bestselling authors Amish Tripathi and Chetan Bhagat, showcased that skills could be translated into successful careers in unexpected domains Career 3 0 takes this a step further, where individuals like Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, seamlessly navigate through various roles as entrepreneurs, authors, and venture capitalists

UNIQUE CAREER JOURNEYS: PIVOTS AND BREAKTHROUGHS

Abhijit emphasized that these career archetypes are not mutually exclusive, and individuals often transition between them. The ability to be agile and adaptable is crucial for success in a rapidly changing world. Personal and external factors can trigger these shifts, and one's career path becomes a unique journey influenced by a myriad of factors

Sharing personal experiences, Abhijit highlighted moving from Career 1 0 in a corporate role to Career 2 0 as an author and entrepreneur and then embracing Career 1 0 again as the head of Global Learning and Development at Microsoft. This flexibility is a hallmark of Career 3.0, where individuals craft their professional lives based on personal and external circumstances.

The 'And Person' Phenomenon: Juggling Multiple Possibilities

Abhijit emphasized that breakthroughs in a career are highly individualistic and influenced by various factors The uniqueness of each career journey is comparable to a fingerprint

Pivotal moments can be triggered by personal decisions or external circumstances, such as relocation or changing family dynamics

Abhijit highlighted the importance of being an "and person" someone who juggles multiple skills and thrives in different ecosystems. Examples like Satyajit Ray, a celebrated film director with diverse skills in cinematography, music composition, and writing, exemplify the essence of Career 3.0.

Success in this paradigm is not just about individual skills but the ability to navigate complex relationships across ecosystems.

EMBRACING AMBIGUITY IN CAREER 3.0

The art of making choices. | ABHIJIT BHADURI | TEDxChristUniversity was cited as a recent example of how external factors can disrupt and reshape career paths.

In a world marked by ambiguity, embracing uncertainty becomes a key factor for success Abhijit pointed out the significant changes in life spans and organizational longevity With humans living longer and organizations lasting shorter durations, the dropping lifespan of skills becomes a critical aspect. Continuous reskilling and upskilling are imperative in this scenario. Abhijit predicted that individuals might have multiple careers in their lifetime, necessitating adaptability and a willingness to learn. The COVID-19 pandemic

FUTURE CAREER PATHS: A MOSAIC OF POSSIBILITIES

Abhijit acknowledged that the traditional single career path is evolving into various adaptations The future of careers includes:

Hybrid Career Paths: Traditional roles blend with new skill sets, fostering the rise of hybrid careers.

In the evolving landscape of work, the conventional model of learning, earning, and retiring is obsolete. With increased longevity and shifting skill demands, navigating Career 3.0 becomes imperative. Renowned expert Abhijit Bhaduri's book guides readers on developing the six essential skills for success in this paradigm, whether within an organization or as an entrepreneur. Filled with compelling narratives, the guide challenges individuals to reassess their career vision and strategy, offering tools crucial for thriving in the contemporary world of work. Discover that you might already possess a Career 3.0 mindset—now that you know what to call it.

Gig Economy Specializations: Freelancing becoming more specialized, focusing on niche skills or tasks.

Lifelong Learning & Reskilling: Continuous learning to adapt to evolving job requirements

Remote and Flexible Work Models: Remote work influences how careers unfold with more global opportunities

Entrepreneurial Ventures: Pursuing entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship opportunities within organizations.

As Abhijit emphasized, an 'and person' someone who juggles multiple possibilities and thrives in diverse ecosystems is wellpositioned to navigate these variations and succeed in Career 3.0.

Conclusion

In the ever-changing world of work, the concept of Career 3 0 emerges as a guiding principle for individuals seeking a dynamic and fulfilling professional life Abhijit Bhaduri's insights shed light on the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the ability to navigate through different ecosystems.

As we stand at the crossroads of the future of work, embracing the principles of Career 3.0 becomes essential. It's not just about learning, earning, and retiring; it's about crafting a unique and agile career journey that aligns with the evolving demands of the modern world. The future belongs to those who can thrive in ambiguity, pivot seamlessly, and embrace the multifaceted nature of Career 3 0

Madhulika Ra Chauhan, a digital marketeer by the day and a passionate writer by night. She has authored “One Night Affair and other stories”, “Corporate Love Tadka”, “Wall of Clocks”, “Heavenly Alphonso” and “ Kintsugi-

The Golden Repair” She has written articles for Thrive Global, e-zine, FWD Business and DailyO and runs YouTube channels on Lean She currently resides in China with her supercurious son and busy husband.

About Pria - Young mesmerizing freelance blogger, social enthusiast, and an economics graduate from Jharkhand University with a Master's in Child Psychology She is hardworking yet crazy, a passionate reader, an ardent music fanatic, an avid caffeine lover, and a maniacal animal lover too. She has been a part of numerous anthologies, articles, and write-ups for newspapers and magazines which are multi-linguistic. She has also written screenplays for YouTube series

Contact: pria@storizen.com