By: Hasten Shaheed-Jackson
The American workplace is undergoing a transformation. The American Dream was building careers through company loyalty that entailed a steady climb up the corporate ladder. Employees were dedicated and committed to serving 30+ years at a single company with the promise of a comfortable retirement. There is a shift in the dream. It is changing.
Can You Keep Up?
Today’s workforce is charting a different course. The workplace is experiencing an evolution. The evolution is a shift from seeking job security within established companies to creating personal security through entrepreneurship and independence.
Recent policy shifts are prompting a reexamination of workplace priorities and security. These changes underscore the need for continued evolution in how organizations approach workforce planning, resource allocation, and inclusive workplace practices.
“Today’s workers are increasingly using traditional employment as a launching pad for independent ventures… “
Shift in Perspective
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average worker now stays at a job for just 4.1 years, with younger employees averaging even less time (2.8 years for workers aged 25-34) (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). There is a shift in perspective that is based on:
- Employees, especially younger ones, place a higher priority on their overall wellbeing. Work-life balance and better overall wellbeing now rank among the most important considerations when choosing a job (Gallup Front Page, April 2025).
- Decline in employee wellbeing. Fifty percent of U.S. employees are thriving in their overall lives which was at 61% in both 2016 and 2017 (Gallup, Workplace, November 2024).
- Less trust in organizations resulting in detachment from employers (Gallup Front Page, April 2025).
The Rise of the Side Hustle Economy
Today’s workers are increasingly using traditional employment as a launching pad for independent ventures in the pursuit of purpose and wellbeing. Approximately 45% of Americans now report having a “side hustle” beyond their primary job, with 67% of those saying they started their side business in the last three years (Zapier Side Hustle Report, 2024).
The pandemic accelerated this trend, with new business applications reaching record highs—4.4 million new businesses were formed in 2023, a 24% increase from pre-pandemic levels (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024).
Building Resilience Through Diversification
The new American workplace demands adaptability. Workers are increasingly creating personal economic resilience through skill diversification and multiple income streams.
A McKinsey Global Institute report indicates that 87% of executives are experiencing skill gaps in their workforce but struggle to address them. Meanwhile, self-directed workers are acquiring cross-functional capabilities at twice the rate of traditional employees (McKinsey, 2023).
Embracing the New American Dream
Success in today’s workplace requires a fundamental mindset shift:
- Treat employers as clients, not lifelong patrons
- Build transferable skills that transcend any single employer
- Create multiple income streams to weather economic uncertainty
- Prioritize flexibility and autonomy when evaluating opportunities
The chains binding workers to offices and rigid employment structures are breaking. In their place is a new reality where individuals are prioritizing wellbeing and crafting their own security through entrepreneurship, continuous learning, and income diversification. The perspective on a job providing security and promoting wellbeing is changing. Those who recognize and adapt to this shift aren’t just keeping up. They are leading the way in redefining the American Dream for generations to come.
Haseena Shaheed-Jackson is Executive Director/Founder of Ava’s Pathways, a non-profit organization for women supporting women providing coaching and creating community circles. She is a lifelong learner. Haseena has an MBA, MA and is a Distinguished Toastmaster. Haseena has published three books Created to Soar, Messages from the Spirit and Reflections from Within and is working on her fourth book, Journey to Sight – scheduled for release in October 2025.
