Is it better to be a specialist or a generalist?

[edmwrefugee]

For example, if one is a nurse, he or she should specialise in a field like pediatric, CVD surgery, or any orthopedic etc. Or should he or she remain a general ward nurse or medical clinic nurse throughout one's career?

 

[NanoRay]

For example, if one is a nurse, he or she should specialise in a field like pediatric, CVD surgery, or any orthopedic etc. Or should he or she remain a general ward nurse or medical clinic nurse throughout one's career?

Depending on which type of doctor the nurse wants to tackle.

 

[blackmondy]

I'm a generalist in my field but specialized in some areas that are in line with my personal interests.
Specialization is a big no-no for me as you are basically putting all your eggs in one basket. And in this volatile economy this is a great disservice to oneself.

 

[vamjok]

I am a specialist in my field, very deep in fact for most of my career, realize this is a very bad mistake and now jumping out to be generalist to know things in broader scope. For long term career benefit in order to move up to management level you need to be a generalist.

You just need to know enough to identify the problem, know who is the right specialist to solve the problem, there is no need for you to know it inside out. But all these are in theory. most of the time in workplace most manager i met know nuts about anything yet they think they what is going on, worse is they force you the subject matter expert to follow their view.

 

[mojito]

For example, if one is a nurse, he or she should specialise in a field like pediatric, CVD surgery, or any orthopedic etc. Or should he or she remain a general ward nurse or medical clinic nurse throughout one's career?

Occifer or sargen earn more?

 

[edmwrefugee]

I'm a generalist in my field but specialized in some areas that are in line with my personal interests.
Specialization is a big no-no for me as you are basically putting all your eggs in one basket. And in this volatile economy this is a great disservice to oneself.

But a specialist earns more than a generalist. Correct?

 

[edmwrefugee]

I am a specialist in my field, very deep in fact for most of my career, realize this is a very bad mistake and now jumping out to be generalist to know things in broader scope. For long term career benefit in order to move up to management level you need to be a generalist.

I think I am the limited ambition sort of person.

 

[edmwrefugee]

Occifer or sargen earn more?

I would suppose officer by logical deduction.

 

[blackmondy]

But a specialist earns more than a generalist. Correct?

Look at those pilots that were retrenched during the pandemic. They only knew how to fly a plane, what do you think they can do once they can't fly anymore ? Can they make the same money doing something else ?
BTW, how are you coping with your recent loss ?

 

[mojito]

I would suppose officer by logical deduction.

Precisely. It is all ways better to tale credit for other peoples work than to do more your self. GDP grow how much how much this year, guess who are getting a bonus for just being there?

 

[laksaboy]

It is best to be yourself. Know thyself.

 

[maxsanic]

For example, if one is a nurse, he or she should specialise in a field like pediatric, CVD surgery, or any orthopedic etc. Or should he or she remain a general ward nurse or medical clinic nurse throughout one's career?

For most careers, specialists and generalists operate in parallel. The former moves up the knowledge ladder while the latter develops management skills.

Pay wise it is hard to generalize as different jobs have different dynamics, but generally speaking they shouldn't differ too much provided you move up at the same pace. Of course if one is gunning for an organization top job like CEO then generalists securing such a role is more prevalent due to their broad based experience.

Ultimately it's what you are comfortable and competent with that is more important. If you are a technical person and can cope with increasing complexity of the topic at hand and prefer to either work alone or lead small teams, specialist is the way to go. If you like people management, play office politics, plan team budgets and resources, then generalist is better.

 

[Bacccarat]

@glockman
Lidat you cannot only specialise in collecting cardboards. You must learn something new. Go ntuc e2i take up some courses.

 

[edmwrefugee]

Look at those pilots that were retrenched during the pandemic. They only knew how to fly a plane, what do you think they can do once they can't fly anymore ? Can they make the same money doing something else ?
BTW, how are you coping with your recent loss ?

A pandemic is not a perpetual. After the pandemic, the pilots will be flying again. It may be just a short aberration in their long-term specialist career. Even if they are retrenched, their savings and other substitute employment should be able to help them through the short period of uncertainty.

 

[Rogue Trader]

I specialised in a particular niche of my industry around 15 years into my career. After around 8 years I got deathly bored and tried to get back out into the general field. But the reality was there are not many employers who will re-train you when you're in your mid 40s.. even when you're willing to take a small paycut.

 

[edmwrefugee]

For most careers, specialists and generalists operate in parallel. The former moves up the knowledge ladder while the latter develops management skills.

Pay wise it is hard to generalize as different jobs have different dynamics, but generally speaking they shouldn't differ too much provided you move up at the same pace. Of course if one is gunning for an organization top job like CEO then generalists securing such a role is more prevalent due to their broad based experience.

Ultimately it's what you are comfortable and competent with that is more important. If you are a technical person and can cope with increasing complexity of the topic at hand and prefer to either work alone or lead small teams, specialist is the way to go. If you like people management, play office politics, plan team budgets and resources, then generalist is better.

I like your analysis. So I guess it depends whether I am ambitious or not.

 

[edmwrefugee]

I specialised in a particular niche of my industry around 15 years into my career. After around 8 years I got deathly bored and tried to get back out into the general field. But the reality was there are not many employers who will re-train you when you're in your mid 40s.. even when you're willing to take a small paycut.

Thanks for sharing your predicament.

 

[edmwrefugee]

For most careers, specialists and generalists operate in parallel. The former moves up the knowledge ladder while the latter develops management skills.

Pay wise it is hard to generalize as different jobs have different dynamics, but generally speaking they shouldn't differ too much provided you move up at the same pace. Of course if one is gunning for an organization top job like CEO then generalists securing such a role is more prevalent due to their broad based experience.

Ultimately it's what you are comfortable and competent with that is more important. If you are a technical person and can cope with increasing complexity of the topic at hand and prefer to either work alone or lead small teams, specialist is the way to go. If you like people management, play office politics, plan team budgets and resources, then generalist is better.

I was googling and found this article.

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/generalist-vs-specialist

 

[blackmondy]

A pandemic is not a perpetual. After the pandemic, the pilots will be flying again. It may be just a short aberration in their long-term specialist career. Even if they are retrenched, their savings and other substitute employment should be able to help them through the short period of uncertainty.

Your optimism is commendable, you're assuming everyone saves for rainy days.
When you earn more, you tend to spend more.
I'm a pessimist at heart, and my pessimism makes me a realist in life.
You seem to me as someone who had not experienced much hardship in life.

 

[mudhatter]

Your question is too broad based. More of a generalization.

Be more specific. Different sectors, different careers are bound to work differently.

If money is the sole objective, then joining PAP-piglets is a good career pathway. Stable job, no possibility of being ousted, no accountability, no rule of law, banana republic, pliant coolie gene stinky chink population who don't mind taking it up the arse and obsess over money above all else being genetically inferior that they are.

I can't fathom how such a shallow population can exist.

With no intellect, no brains, no inventiveness, no originality, no history, no legends, no scholars, nothing whatsoever.

It's incomprehensible.