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Week 3: The Multi-Hyphenate Advantage
Because you weren’t meant to fit into one box — you were meant to build your own shelf.
Alexis Matthews
July 22, 2025
Once upon a time, the goal was to be one thing — and to be the best at it.
Engineer. Lawyer. Marketer. Manager.
Your title told the world who you were.
Your industry defined your identity.
Your LinkedIn headline was a tidy label for your life.
But here’s the truth: You’re not one thing. You’re a stack of skills, identities, and passions — and each of them is valuable.
Welcome to the age of the multi-hyphenate professional.
And if you've ever felt pressure to pick just one, this is your permission slip to embrace them all.
💡 What Is a Multi-Hyphenate?
A multi-hyphenate is someone who lives and works at the intersection of multiple talents, roles, or income streams.
Think:
Product Manager – Coach – Speaker
Marketing Exec – Yoga Teacher – Content Creator
Designer – Consultant – Nonprofit Leader
Being a multi-hyphenate means your career isn’t just a job — it’s a composition.
You’re not unfocused.
You’re not “too much.”
You’re diversified.
And in 2025’s work landscape, that’s a competitive advantage.
🚀 Why Being Multi-Hyphenate Matters More Than Ever
The modern professional world rewards multidimensionality:
Companies want breadth + depth.
Side hustles show initiative and independence.
Consulting, teaching, and content creation build brand equity.
Creative or wellness pursuits demonstrate emotional intelligence and resilience.
You don’t need to silo your identities anymore. In fact — you can monetize them.
🔨 How to Embrace & Leverage Your Multi-Hyphenate Identity
1. Stop Apologizing for Being More Than One Thing
You’re not flakey. You’re full-spectrum.
Reframe “I’m doing a few different things right now” as:
“I’m intentionally building a career that reflects the full range of my skills and interests.”
Own your narrative. Others will follow your lead.
2. Monetize the Overlap
Your value often lives at the intersection of your skills — not within just one.
A designer who teaches others to build a brand?
A sales leader who coaches early-career talent?
A tech leader who hosts wellness events?
The intersection is your IP.
Ask:
What do I know how to do that others want to learn or experience?
Where does my lived experience fill a gap others can’t replicate?
3. Protect Your Energy, Not Just Your Time
Being multi-hyphenate isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what’s true.
Build in recovery and reflection. Choose aligned output, not constant output.
Use your calendar like a compass, not a scoreboard.
4. Market the Whole You
In the age of personal branding, people aren’t just hiring your resume. They’re investing in your story.
Share your journey. Publish your perspective. Talk about your pivots.
Let people see the full picture — not just your job title.
The more dimensions you share, the more people will come to you for the specific value only you can offer.
🧭 Multi-Hyphenate Doesn’t Mean Scatter-Brained — It Means Strategic
The future of work isn’t linear.
The most in-demand professionals are the ones who can:
✔️ Solve cross-functional problems
✔️ Adapt to evolving industries
✔️ Tap into multiple skill sets at once
✔️ Translate their lived experience into value
The world doesn’t need more “either/or” careers.
It needs more “yes, and” careers.
💡 Final Thought: Your Career Isn’t a Business Card
You don’t need to shrink to fit a headline.
You don’t need to simplify your story for someone else’s comfort.
Being multi-hyphenate means you don’t just fit into the future of work —
you help define it.
You’re allowed to be:
Analytical and creative
Strategic and soulful
Driven and discerning
You’re not “doing too much.” You’re doing what’s authentic.
Next Week →
Your Career Vision Map
A practical, step-by-step framework to visualize your portfolio life and align your next moves with your values.
