Expect to change jobs a bunch of times during your working career

I have worked for the same company for almost 16 years but not at the same location. I have gone from plant to plant to R&D and now back to a plant. I have gotten a raise every time and good relocation benefits. It IS possible to work with one company over a good career but you still must be willing to relocate to promote.

I once read an article that said the average person goes through three careers during their work life. I guess I'm average......i went through three distinct and different careers before retiring.

I think that is an expectation that is in keeping with the times. The days of working with one company or in one career just don't seem to be in sync with the realities of the job markets in 2017. Experience and what talents you can bring to a company seem to be more important than having been in a particular industry or career. Job hunters today need to be more able to show how their experience can benefit a company. Where that experience or what career that came from just doesn't seem to matter, just that you have it.