Google's marketing head says tech giant is 'more like a jungle gym than a career ladder'. Here's why

Google's Chief Marketing Officer believes that young professionals must learn how to "enjoy the journey" rather than trying to meticulously plan their entire careers. Lorraine Twohill, who manages a team of more than 4,000 employees, told LinkedIn’s “This Is Working” podcast that careers do not necessarily work out according to plans.

“Learn as much as you can. I feel like life and companies like Google are more like a jungle gym than a career ladder,” CNBC Make It quoted Twohill as saying. “Try different roles, try different things out for size. Work in different teams, different areas, acquire as many skills as you can. And be informed.”

Originally from Ireland, Twohill was one of Google's first non-US marketing hires in 2003, and moved to the US in 2009  six years later to become the tech giant's head of global marketing.

She also shared how taking a step back from being a workaholic, her life has taken a turn for the better. Twohill was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in the bile duct, in 2016. When she returned after treatment, she realised that her workaholic pace was unsustainable.