Why Gen Z can’t afford to specialize at work

‘Specialization promised stability, but it also trapped me on a single track. And in hindsight, I’m glad I stepped off it.’

In 2013, at the age of 22, I found myself in what many in my field would consider a dream position: working in New York City as an analyst at Goldman Sachs. The position offered everything young professionals are typically told to value: competitive compensation, a prestigious brand name, world-class offices in Manhattan, comprehensive benefits, and a clear career trajectory. I was at the epitome of certainty—or so it seemed.