When do you actually get pigeonholed?

Having some career dilemmas and looking for advice - want to make sure I didn’t screw myself. So I’ve been working as a development analyst for a year now, prior to that I was at a big 4 in their M&A team for a year. I work for a development shop that mainly does fee development for municipalities, universities, etc. we’ve done arenas (that include a mixed use aspect to them), affordable housing, university buildings, etc. I’m starting an MSRE program on the west coast next fall while I continue to work for this developer full time with the plan to move into more traditional development. Have I screwed myself by starting out at an infrastructure developer? When do you start to see yourself getting pigeon holed? To reiterate - have been out of school almost 2.5 yrs now. Any feedback would be appreciated.

6 Comments
 

You get pigeonholed when you allow yourself to be. 

Keep your network strong. Keep your knowledge base up. Be able to explain how the skillset translates. 

You'll be fine. Grad school is usually seen as an opportunity for a reset anyhow. 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

You’ll be fine, you’re starting grad school, it’s full of opportunities.


I think people worries about being pigeonholed too much, and in an irrational way. You don’t just stay in a job/do smt and get pigeonholed, you’re pigeonholed if you don’t continue networking, think big picture, learn new things, and step out of your comfort zone or what your current task/skillset. It’s another story if you’re company stop you from actively learning tho.

 

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