The most common metaphor for careers is a ladder, but this concept no longer applies to most workers.
人们最常用“梯子”来比喻职业生涯,但这个概念已不再适用于大多数人。
As of 2010, the average American had eleven jobs from the ages of eighteen to forty-six alone.
据统计,2010至今,美国人在18-44岁之间会换11次工作。
This means that the days of joining an organization or corporation and staying there to climb that one ladder are long gone.
这就意味着加入一个组织或进入一个公司,待在那里一步步往上爬的时代已经过去了。
Lori often quotes Pattie Sellers, who conceived a much better metaphor: "Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder."
戈勒引用了帕蒂·塞勒斯那个更为恰当的比喻:“职业生涯是方格架,而不是竖梯。”
As Lori describes it, ladders are limiting—people can move up or down, on or off.
正如洛里所描述的,竖梯会限制人的行动——要么往上爬要么往下退,要么站在梯阶上要么跌下来;
Jungle gyms offer more creative exploration.
而方格架能让一个人拥有更多探索的可能。
There's only one way to get to the top of a ladder, but there are many ways to get to the top of a jungle gym.
要爬到梯子的顶端只有一种方式,但要爬到方格架的顶端则会有很多方式。
The jungle gym model benefits everyone,
方格架的比喻适用于每个人,
but especially women who might be starting careers, switching careers, getting blocked by external barriers, or reentering the workforce after taking time off.
尤其适合那些处于事业初期、转行阶段、由于外部障碍止步不前,或休息一段时间准备重新进入职场的女性。
The ability to forge a unique path with occasional dips, detours, and even dead ends presents a better chance for fulfillment.
和僵直的梯子相比,女性若能够走出一条时上时下、迂回曲折甚至偶尔会误入死胡同的独特路线,才会为自我实现提供更好的机会。
Plus, a jungle gym provides great views for many people, not just those at the top.
此外,方格架可以为更多人提供更宽广的视野,而不是只有那些站在最顶端的人才能看到最美的风景。
On a ladder, most climbers are stuck staring at the butt of the person above.
但是在竖梯上,大多数攀爬者都不得不盯着上面一个人的屁股。
A jungle gym scramble is the best description of my career.
用“在方格架上攀爬”来描述我的职业发展是再合适不过的了。