What I learned from two career changes

In the last 12 years, I have transitioned from Network Security Engineering to Software Engineering to Product Management in the IT, Security, AdTech and eCommerce industries. In between, I pursued a BS in Computer Science and an MBA.

If you’re wondering what to do with your career, if you want to learn more from your daily job, or you want to change careers but feel lost, here is what I learned from making two changes. I hope you find it helpful.

Are you in the comfort zone?

Are you able to solve 80% of trouble tickets, bugs, or issues in no time?

Do you work on repetitive tasks most of the time?

Do you feel like your job is not challenging you anymore?

If you do, it’s not bad, it just means your learning curve in the current position is flat. Your brain is capable of solving more complex problems or creating more creative solutions. Your job, however, offers little of such challenges. It doesn’t mean you should start thinking about a career change right away. It is just a wake-up call for your personal growth.

Start thinking how can you learn more.

What challenges and problems do you want to solve?

Who can teach you more?

Which positions can challenge you more than your current?

Are these opportunities there in your current job or company, maybe in a different team or role?

Personally, I think it is super healthy to be challenged at work on a regular basis. It does make it harder to deliver results but it builds your backbone of knowledge for the long run, and it keeps you driven, curious and fulfilled.

To avoid the comfort zone, I ask myself three questions every few months:

1. Where do I see myself in 5 years?
2. What do I know today that can make it happen?
3. What can I learn that can make it happen?

Take the time to answer those questions. The answers can be obvious, unknown, or in between. The fun part is discovering those answers. For the first few times, I was clueless when I tried answering those questions. After a few more times of doing this exercise, I had crystal clear answers. And then a few times later, I had no clue again!. That is the beauty of learning new things and evolving, you never know where it will take you on the extraordinary journey of life.

Passion should be your biggest driver — not money

If you have decided you want to change your career, make sure it’s for the right reasons. I’ve seen software engineers who only work because they want that FAT paycheck. These people are unhappy and struggle at work because money doesn’t fulfill us, but facing challenges, solving problems, building and creating solutions, and constant learning are the things that fulfill us.

When you are passionate about your job, the energy is obvious to those around you. It is recognized right away. Your clients, co-workers, managers, and stakeholders will notice how passionate you are. Most importantly, you will be a happier person. Your family will benefit from your positive energies every morning. Make sure you are passionate about a career change before you make one.

But how can you know if you are passionate enough?

Before I became a product manager, I read 3 books and more than 50 articles, watched dozens of product management related talks on TED and YouTube, and learned about the roles of multiple active product managers. I made sure I had a clear picture of WHAT the job is and WHY I’m passionate about it. I still learn about product management every day at work. It’s an on-going process I love and enjoy participating in. I learned enough to validate my initial passion about product management before deciding to make that career change.

Your brand is key to a successful career change

When you eventually decide to make a career change, go ALL IN on that decision. Make sure you read about the new position every day. Talk with people working in similar positions all the time. Go to meetups related to that position. Start to be that professional you desire to be. Think and act like one. Brand yourself as that professional.

Pay attention to little things that can make recruiters or hiring managers wonder if you are serious about that move. Is your resume too technical? not technical enough? does your LinkedIn profile draw a picture of the professional you desire to be? Remember, the devil is in the small details. Until you get that job, there is no room for mistakes when it comes to your brand. It has to be consistent, persuasive, specific and honest.

You are not alone — find a mentor

Once you do change your career, you will face more struggles, unanswered questions, and ambiguity than ever before. It will be tough. However, you must remember that you are not alone. One of the greatest things you can do after a career change is to find a mentor. Establish connections at your new job and identify potential mentors.

How?

Look for people who don’t answer your questions right away, but rather give you directions to how to find the answers by your own. This is by far more powerful for your learning and progress because you learn and internalize everything yourself. If you keep asking questions and your co-workers just answer everything for you — what is left for you to learn?

Feel free to reach out.AG