Today, many young professionals are not sticking to just one career; they are exploring several paths at once. Some do it for passion, some for stability, and many for a mix of both. But is this lifestyle making people more fulfilled, or simply more overworked? In this COFFEEBREAK session, we talk to individuals who juggle multiple roles every day. They share honest reflections on balance, burnout, money, passion and what it really takes to build a life with more than one career.
Do you think pursuing different professional interests makes you more well-rounded or just more overworked?
Having more than one avenue ensures that even when some projects are uncertain or slow, there is always at least one stable and dependable source of income.
Biswas Timshina, Scriptwriter, Youtuber, Comedian
Biswas: Sometimes my work can feel overworked but for the most part, it is incredibly exciting. Stand-up comedy is my passion, yet lately it has taken a backseat as I focus on TV, film and YouTube projects. My stand-up feels a bit stagnant right now and that makes me sad because it is the art form that truly drives me. At the same time, diving into new mediums brings a different kind of excitement. There is always something fresh to explore and master. While balancing everything can feel overwhelming, the thrill of creative growth keeps me motivated and inspired.
Sambriddhi: I sometimes feel overworked but because my efforts stem from genuine interest, they keep me informed across different fields and make me more adaptable. This curiosity helps me stay engaged and communicate with people from different walks of life. By putting myself out there, I discover more opportunities which makes the intensity worthwhile. As a young person navigating a world of endless possibilities and uncertainties, this broad exposure gives me space to explore, grow and better understand my passions. It also strengthens my confidence in taking on new challenges and reminds me that growth often comes from stepping beyond comfort and familiarity.
Karuna: For me, pursuing different professional interests has made me genuinely well-rounded. I have lived through nursing, pageantry, media, content creation, community work and events, each shaping a unique layer of who I am. Yes, it can feel overwhelming at times, and yes, it requires extra energy and discipline. But the growth I gain, the confidence, awareness and richness of experience is something a single path could never offer. So, I do not consider myself “overworked.” Instead, I see myself shaped by multiple purposes and passions, driven by my own motivation to keep evolving and embracing every opportunity that helps me grow.
Apoorwa: I believe that different professional interests often grow out of personal hobbies, financial needs, available spare time and any unused resources you may have. Exploring multiple professional paths can help you become a more well-rounded individual. Ultimately, though, I think the main goal in life should be to stay happy. When you truly love what you are doing, work rarely feels overwhelming. Tiredness and burnout often arise not from the work itself but from poor prioritisation and ineffective time management. By understanding your interests and managing your time well, you can balance your pursuits and maintain a fulfilling life.
Has having more than one career improved your financial security or is that benefit overstated?
Beyond the financial benefits, engaging in different fields also fuels my personal growth, pushing me to keep learning and expanding my skills. In this way, multi-careers strengthen both my stability and my long-term resilience.
Samriddhi Sharma, Event Chairperson of The Rising Leaders, Digital Marketer, Development Finance student, Content Creator
Biswas: In the media field, where finances are often unpredictable, having multiple sources of income is crucial. When I work on other projects, I at least have some certainty about earning a set income. My YouTube channel BT Kancha started out as something fun, I used to create sketches and short films, just wanting to explore my creative side. I did not take it seriously until recently, when the Nepali audience widely recognised me as a YouTuber. Now, it has become a significant part of my life and identity. Fortunately, with YouTube there is a defined schedule for revenue, so I know money will be coming in at a certain time, something not everyone in this industry can rely on. That is why it is important to diversify careers. Having more than one avenue ensures that, even when some projects are uncertain or slow, there is always at least one stable and dependable source of income.
Sambriddhi: Definitely! There is financial security, and it is essential, especially in today’s uncertain economic landscape. Pursuing multiple careers helps reduce risk, ensuring that if one field declines, another can still sustain me. Content creation may fade one day, and college event-managing opportunities may disappear, but having multiple income streams protects me from those shifts. Diversifying my work allows me to make smarter financial decisions while staying adaptable. Beyond the financial benefits, engaging in different fields also fuels my personal growth, pushing me to keep learning and expanding my skills. In this way, multi-careers strengthen both my stability and my long-term resilience.
Karuna: Honestly, yes, it has improved my financial security but not in the way most people expect. It is not that every career path brings a large income; it is that I am never dependent on just one. Nursing gives me stability. My creative work expands my opportunities globally. And my projects and platforms offer long-term potential to collaborate and grow with like-minded people. Together, they create both a safety net and a ladder. So, financial security is real but it is not instant. It is something I am steadily building over time, one step and one passion at a time.
Apoorwa: For me, it has not created financial security yet, but I still love what I am doing. Everyone goes through low phases in life and in their career, but you fall, learn, and stand up again. I believe that when you truly love your work, money eventually becomes a byproduct. It may take time but it will be generated someday. The important thing is to keep doing what you love and stay committed to your path because passion and perseverance always lead you forward.
What kind of personal fulfillment do you get from your secondary (or third, or fourth) career that your primary job does not give you?
Biswas: I have not categorised any of my work as a primary job. I feel I cannot do YouTube forever as I might get tired of it, and I cannot make films for the rest of my life since I might become outdated. I divide my time between different professions, much like cropping seasonal crops, and returning to each role gives me a fresh perspective every time. Writing screenplays fulfills me artistically while TV work often feels like it is for my parents. For instance, Comedy Darbar was something I did for my father who encouraged me, and they take pride in seeing me on screen. My choices are, in that sense, for both me and my family.
Sambriddhi: My secondary and third careers give me a sense of personal fulfillment that my primary job alone cannot provide. They expand my creativity, keep me more informed about different fields, and help me build stronger communication skills. Taking on new roles also strengthens my risk-taking abilities and gives me a deeper sense of satisfaction. Exploring these additional paths allows me to grow in ways that a single job cannot; pushing me to think differently, connect with diverse people and continually challenge myself.
Karuna: My primary role as a mental health nurse gives me structure, purpose and the ability to serve others. But my secondary careers: pageantry, content creation, storytelling, public speaking and training allow me to express myself, challenge my limits daily and shape who I aspire to become. Nursing lets me directly help and support the community while my creative work allows me to reach people on a broader scale. It gives me voice, visibility and impact, fulfilling the part of me that wants to inspire, create, uplift and grow beyond the confines of a shift roster.
Apoorwa: A second or third career should either support your first career or be completely different from it. These additional careers should provide the job satisfaction you may be missing in your primary path. They should help you grow, improve your mental and physical well-being and offer greater returns whether in happiness or income relative to the time you invest. Most importantly, your second or third career should never interfere with your first one. If it begins to hinder your main career, it can create stress and a sense that you are losing control, ultimately leading to financial insecurity.
Do you see the multi-career lifestyle as a choice born out of passion or a necessity shaped by economic realities?
Opportunity led me to entrepreneur-ship and social impact work. The economic aspect taught me not to rely on just one identity: one job, one income, one path feels too risky in today’s economy.
Karuna Rawat, Registered Nurse, Emcee, Mental Health Advocate
Biswas: For me, my work comes purely from passion. There is no societal pressure, except perhaps from my parents who have given me unwavering love and financial support. Their belief in me has shaped not just my choices but also my sense of responsibility. I want to give back to them and show that I can sustain myself in the future. In that sense, while my drive is fueled by creativity and personal fulfillment, it is also shaped by economic realities. Balancing passion with practicality ensures I honor both my artistic ambitions and the support my family has provided.
Sambriddhi: It began purely from passion but slowly it is being shaped by today’s financial realities. Relying on a single source of income is risky, even if it seems stable. Having multiple careers provides the security needed to support not only necessities but also personal wants. It gives me the freedom to enjoy life a little more without constant financial stress. Multi-careering offers both stability and the luxury of choice, allowing me to pursue what I love while still building a secure future. Ultimately, it creates a balance between passion, practicality and a more fulfilling lifestyle.
Karuna: For me, it is a mix of both. Passion drew me to pageantry and media whereas the purpose guided me toward mental health and nursing. Opportunity led me to entrepreneurship and social impact work. The economic aspect taught me not to rely on just one identity: one job, one income, one path feels too risky in today’s economy. So yes, it is driven by passion. And yes, it is shaped by necessity. In my life, these forces have learned to coexist, each complementing the other, allowing me to grow, explore and build a life that is both meaningful and sustainable.
Apoorwa: I think it is ultimately a combination of both. The most important question to ask yourself is what genuinely makes you happy. For some people, happiness comes from earning more money; for others, it comes from doing meaningful work they truly enjoy. Many people need a balance between the two to feel fulfilled. When you reflect honestly on what brings you satisfaction, clarity naturally follows. Understanding whether your happiness depends more on financial stability, personal passion, or a blend of both will guide you toward the right decisions. Once you identify what matters most, the path ahead becomes much easier to choose from.
If the future belongs to multi-career individuals, what is one mindset to shift every professional needs to adopt today?
When you truly love your work, money eventually becomes a byproduct. It may take time but it will be generated someday. The important thing is to keep doing what you love and stay committed to your path because passion and perseverance always lead you forward.
Apoorwa Kshitiz Singh, Chartered Accountant, Comedian
Biswas: Even friends with 9 to 5 jobs often pursue other passion projects. Unlike previous generations who had to focus on building sustainable lives out of necessity, our generation enjoys the fruits of their labour and can explore multiple professions without constantly worrying about money. We seek variety to stay mentally stimulated, trying different roles that keep us engaged and challenged. With technology evolving rapidly, new avenues of work are constantly emerging, making this multi-role approach not just a choice but an inevitable trend. People may find themselves juggling different roles, both intentionally and naturally, as the nature of work continues to transform.
Sambriddhi: The future of every work field is continuously evolving and each profession now carries multiple dimensions. Communication, for example, has become essential. Everyone must learn to advocate for themselves, stand out and build a personal brand, especially with the rise of social media. For women in particular, the future offers greater freedom, the ability to walk away from one career and confidently step into another that may be more fulfilling. The key mindset is staying open to new possibilities and adapting to changing times. Embracing this flexibility allows us to grow, reinvent ourselves and thrive in an ever-shifting landscape.
Karuna: Stop thinking your identity has to fit into a single job title. Today, your career is not just a straight road, it is a map. The more skills, passions and experiences you gather, the more routes open for you. That is the mindset I have had to embrace. You do not reinvent yourself just once in life; you reinvent yourself every time life challenges you to grow, adapt and explore new possibilities.
Apoorwa: Always keep an attitude towards learning new things. Many Nepalis grow up with a traditional mindset, often in joint families with many responsibilities. Over time, these responsibilities can start to feel like a burden, and you may stop thinking about what truly makes you happy. Slowly, you begin to silence the inner child within you, and your creativity and curiosity start to fade. It is important to keep that inner spark alive. When you nurture your curiosity and allow yourself to explore new ideas, you will eventually find your own path and create a life that feels fulfilling and meaningful.
