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For many young South Africans entering the workforce today and those hungry for a new challenge, the idea of a single, linear career is quickly becoming outdated.
Instead, careers increasingly resemble a “situationship”, i.e. a mix of roles, freelance work, side hustles and ongoing learning that evolves over time.
From designers who also run small online businesses to marketers who code, illustrate or produce digital content, many professionals are stacking skills rather than following a single, predictable professional track.
Where economic growth remains modest and industries are rapidly digitising, adaptability is becoming the defining career advantage.
Culture vs the economy of change
The South African government continues to position education as a central driver of long-term growth (National Budget 2026), allocating around a quarter of consolidated expenditure to the sector. Yet the national conversation is increasingly moving past access toward outcomes and employability.
This means that qualifications alone are no longer the finish line. Instead, employers are increasingly looking for what some educators call “skills velocity”. This is the ability to learn, adapt and apply new capabilities quickly.
According to Stephanie Simpson, Illustration Lecturer at Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, “Creative careers have never been static. The most successful graduates are those who stay curious and keep expanding their skills. Illustration, design, storytelling, digital platforms – these are all connected, and the ability to move between them is incredibly valuable.” Simpson recently took the number one lecturer spot in the Loeries rankings 2025 and selected as a jury member for The One Club for Creativity Young Ones ADC Awards.
For students looking to enter the creative economy, this mindset can be liberating. Instead of feeling pressure to choose one rigid career at 18, many are discovering that creative industries reward experimentation.
However, this flexibility also places new demands on tertiary education institutions.
As the economy moves toward digital infrastructure, emerging technologies and new business models, universities and private higher education institutions are increasingly expected to prepare students for real-world problem solving.
The National Budget highlighted stronger alignment between education and labour market needs, including reforms in technical and vocational training and increased emphasis on occupational qualifications.
At Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, programmes are designed around live briefs, industry collaboration and applied digital skills so that graduates can enter the workforce with practical experience.
“Students need to leave tertiary education ready to contribute from day one,” Simpson explains. “That means understanding how creative thinking connects to real business challenges.”
This change helps to confirm that your first qualification does not define your entire future. Instead, careers can evolve through short courses, advanced diplomas, industry experience and new specialisations over time. The ability to pivot, reskill and build layered expertise may ultimately matter more than following a perfectly planned path.
When industries are constantly transforming, the most valuable career strategy may simply be staying adaptable.
Or, as Simpson puts it: “Creative careers aren’t linear. They’re creative projects, and you’re allowed to keep refining them.”