Meet Sean Aiken — Job-Hopper Extraordinaire

Published by Ryan Paugh on November 5th, 2007 in Career Development, Work, Work/Life | 19 Comments

Think you have commitment issues? Well, so does Sean Aiken. He's had 32 jobs in 32 weeks. And still plans on 20 more before he's done. It's all part of One Week One Job – one man's epic search for an answer to the burning question: "What should I do with my life?"

After graduation, Sean committed to himself that he wouldn't settle for a career he was not passionate about. Only problem was, he didn't know where those passions would lie. And so, One Week One Job was born. 52 weeks, 52 jobs. One of them has to work out, right?

While on his most recent job as a pest exterminator in Miami, I had a chance to talk to him about his travels, what he's learned and what we can all take away from his refusal to commit to the ordinary.

Here's what he had to say:

It's common for young people to not know what they want to do with the rest of their lives, but after college it's almost ritualistic to land a job we don't love doing and anticipate that it will lead to bigger and better things. What do you say to this mentality?

To be honest, I don't think that taking a job that we don't love doing can possibly lead to bigger and better things because the reality is, we will never truly be happy in that chosen profession.

It's no secret that the Gen-Y mindset is meeting some resistance. Have you experienced any conflict during your travels? With who? Why can't they just chill out?

Most people get what I am doing. I receive emails from people in Gen-Y who are in the same situation and completely get it, and at the same time I have received emails from those of an older generation who have been inspired to go back to school and pursue their passion as a result of the project.

Though, sometimes I will hear someone from an older generation say, "Sean, why don't you just get a job." My response is, "well, I don't want just any job, I want something that I am going to be happy doing." I don't think we can blame these people for not just chilling out. They grew up in a different world, with much different expectations on the work force – work is not supposed to be enjoyable, it's called "work" for a reason you know?

So enough about the dissenters, I know I wouldn't be where I am today without a little mentorship from someone older and wiser. Who's keeping you in line?

Throughout my life I have always looked up to a few teachers who I found were really motivating and inspiring. During the course the project, Ian (camera man and best friend) has been great at keeping me in line. The project can be quite overwhelming at times so it's great to have such a good friend with me. Also, all the emails I receive from people finding inspiration in the project definitely keeps me focused and in-check.

Keeping on the subject of mentors, you've had more bosses in the past year than most of us will have in our lifetime. What qualities does a boss have to embrace to be a good mentor?

I write a column for The Globe & Mail, a Canadian national newspaper, about what I am learning. This is actually one subject I wrote on. The title was 18 jobs, 18 bosses: insights into a great employer. Click here to check it out.

Not to bore you with the question you've probably been asked a hundred times, but I'm sure readers want to know. What was your favorite job so far? Why?

Here are a few of my favorite so far:

Working as a Cancer Fundraiser for Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation – I was working with people who were very passionate about what they do, and being in a position where what you do has such a positive impact on so many others is pretty awesome.

Steam Whistle Brewery – Lot's of fun, great people, great work environment, great beer!

The Georgia Aquarium – Working with people who really love their job. Also, it is an amazing aquarium and a very peaceful environment to go to everyday.

The majority of college grads will inevitably end up corporate, an area we haven't seen you explore too much. So truthfully, how bad do you think the corporate world sucks?

I am not sure if the corporate world is for me. Though you never know. I realize this is a generalization, but I kind of associate 'corporate' with office job, and I am not all about that.

Do I think corporate sucks? I don't know, everyone is different. I think there are many people in which the corporate world works for them. Basically when it comes down to it, if it's being in a corporate environment that makes you happy, then great. What sucks is if you are not happy in the corporate environment or any situation for that matter and are not willing to change it.

What you're doing is remarkable, but let's be real, job-hopping once a week is a sure-fire career killer. What should our generation take away from what you're doing?

Don't settle, period. Take the time to figure out what you need in a career to be happy and make a promise to yourself that you will find something that you love doing. Once you make this promise to yourself, with every decision that comes your way you will be asking yourself whether it will keep you on the right path to making this situation become a reality.

So this is where I ask the most important question…from one long-haired guy to another. How are your weeklong bosses responding to the dreads?

There are a bunch of photos on the website, so I guess they know what they are getting into before they offer me a One Week Job. I imagine there are some employers who have neglected to offer me a job because of my hair, though I wouldn't want to work for anyone who would pass such judgment anyways. The way I see it, they are just making the decision that much easier.