當我們看多數專業領域人士的LinkedIn經歷時，看起來總像是平順且具有規劃的職涯路線。但如果深入去挖掘，會發現其實多數成功者都曾有段顛簸的職場岔路經驗，而這些經驗則為他們帶來今日的成功。因此如果你正遇到未預期的阻礙，不妨退一步想想是否當中存在一線希望。

When most professionals introduce themselves or create a LinkedIn profile, they appear to have a smooth, well-planned career trajectory. However, when you do a little digging, you’ll learn that many of the most successful individuals have a bumpy history of career detours that greatly contributed to where they are today. So if you hit an unexpected obstacle, take a moment to consider if there’s a silver lining.

以下是7個可能對你未來有益的職場岔路：

1. 被解僱

從被解僱能學到的是，你會理解職涯的牢靠發展不能仰賴公司。未來如果找到落腳處，你會保持技能成長與擴展人際網絡的習慣，為下次相同情形的發生預先做好準備。

The biggest benefit is realizing that career security lies within rather than externally with a company. After you land on your feet, you’ll make it a habit to keep growing your skills and expanding your network so that you’re prepared in case there’s a next time

2. 接受一份不適合的工作

這段岔路會讓你學會退一步省思，哪些東西是你生命中真正重要的。這也是為何幾乎每份求職指南都會包含評估自我的價值觀，因為這是非常個人、根深蒂固的，且幾乎是決定你是否能從工作中獲得成就感的最大因素。因此如果你基於邏輯上的原因接受一份職缺，卻無法符合讓你感到快樂的原則（例如陪伴家人的時間、有使命感、有成長與挑戰的機會），你會很快就覺得被榨乾，於是又開始找下一份工作。

A valuable benefit that comes from this detour is learning to step back and reflect on what’s most important in your life. There’s a reason that almost every career and job search manual includes a section on assessing your values - because they’re very personal, deeply ingrained and often the biggest determining factor in your satisfaction with a job. Even if you have a logical reason for accepting a role, if it doesn’t align with the principles central to your happiness (e.g., time with your family, a sense of purpose, growth opportunities and challenge), you’ll soon burn out and be on the hunt for the next job.

3. 選錯職涯路徑

好消息是在今天的市場上，不論是換工作或轉換跑道，都比過去來的常見。只有透過行動才能看得更清楚，很多時候我們都是在經驗不充足的情況下選擇職涯路徑。因此並沒有所謂「錯」的職涯路徑，因為每個新的經驗、接觸與探索都可能讓我們轉換到另一個成功的路徑。

The good news is that in today’s market, switching not just jobs, but careers,is becoming more of the norm than the exception. Clarity comes through action. Many of us choose a path when we’re still relatively inexperienced. The truth is, there really is no “wrong” ladder because every new experience, every new contact and every new discovery is likely transferable to our success in another career.

4. 創業失敗

創業就像是在現實世界完成MBA學位，你會理解商業的構成：法規、會計、財務、行銷、管理、倫理、分析等，此外還會從某些艱難且獨特的情況下，學到在教科書上不會出現的課程。

Starting a company is like earning an MBA through a real world project. You’ll walk away understanding how all the business pieces fit - legal, accounting, finance, marketing, management, ethics, analytics - along with some tough lessons and unique situations you won’t find in the pages of a textbook.

5. 搞砸客戶關係

這一段岔路能讓你學到的是，知道自己將會起死回生，你的職涯並未因此結束，你過去所做的努力也沒有白費。這是讓你搞清楚事情為何發生（例如要應付的事情太多、因私人因素而分心）並進行修正的最佳時機。

The biggest lesson is learning that you’ll bounce back. Your career isn’t over and all you’ve worked for isn’t lost. Your best bet is figuring out why it happened (e.g. too much on your plate, distracted with a personal issue, etc.) and correcting the situation.

6. 對畢業科系的領域不感興趣

即使科系與你預期的職涯不相符，但教育總是有其價值存在，你可能會驚訝於人際網絡如何派上用場、提出有創意的解決方案、指導他人並產出更多有趣的點子。基於「混種」任務的增加，雇主會從求職者身上找尋個人亮點，你可能會發現雙重背景能為你的求職之路加不少分。

 And even if that isn’t your intended career trajectory, the good news is that education is always valuable and you may be surprised at how it can come in handy for networking, offering creative solutions, mentoring others and generating interesting ideas. As hybrid roles increase and employers look for unique qualities in candidates, you may find your dual-background to be a major plus in the job search.

7. 錯過一個絕佳機會

人生需要面臨很多次的決定，選擇一個就表示需要拒絕另一個。因此最佳方案就是去追求你存在100%熱情的那一個，否則你將會一直回頭去看當初那個不復存在的機會。很多人對於自己沒去做的事，會比已經做的事還要後悔，因此如果你發現恐懼影響你的決定，那就跟隨你的恐懼，讓它指引你選出你之後不會後悔的那個決定。

There will be many times when you have to make a decision. And accepting one choice means declining another. Your best bet is to pursue your choice with 100% gusto , otherwise you’ll find yourself looking backward at an opportunity that’s no longer available. Most people regret things theydidn’tdo more than those theydiddo, so if you find fear factoring into your decision, follow your fear. It’s likely guiding you in a direction of something you’ll regret NOT doing later.

原文：7 Unexpected Career Detours That Can Benefit You