Seven Careers In Your Lifetime? Are You Sure?

That’s not entirely true, say economists and analysts. But nor is there incontrovertible evidence to the contrary.

While everyone can cite the example of “that one friend” they have who went from being a bartender to real estate agent to personal trainer to salesperson, most people’s career paths are less jagged. Younger workers change jobs and careers more often, partially because it’s easier to bump around in entry-level gigs and partially because whatever summer job you get in high school or college might be totally different from the next summer’s job.

But a midlife career switch is a much bigger deal.