Pivoting in your career : Achievable, But Not Without Sacrifices

Hello there. Molweni bethuna :)

In my first blog post, I mentioned that I recently pivoted in my career and promised to share more details in a future post. Well, here it is. Last year, I took on a new challenge, stepping into a completely different role in a new industry, and to say it was daunting would be an understatement. Now, a year later, I look back with pride, grateful that I took the leap of faith.

But while it may seem like a bold, spontaneous move, it was anything but. In reality, this career shift was a carefully planned transition, years in the making. Let me take you through the journey that led me here…

I began my career in a highly technical role and eventually grew into a senior engineering position, leading technical teams. I loved the work because it reinforced why I pursued engineering in the first place, problem-solving. With each challenge, my problem-solving skills sharpened, and I found that the more problems I tackled, the better I became.

The upside? I thrived on the constant challenge, and I was never bored. There was always something new to solve. The downside? It consumed me. Unresolved problems lingered in my mind, making it difficult to switch off at the end of the day. The thrill of solving a technical challenge was unmatched, but over time, I began to question whether it was worth the trade-off. Long workdays (sometimes stretching to 16 hours) and late nights took their toll. Eventually, I realized that while I valued technical problem-solving, I didn’t see myself staying in a purely technical role for the rest of my career.

In many ways, my career pivot unconsciously started 6 years ago but only became clearer with time. After 6 months into my first permanent role as an engineer, I was given an opportunity by my manager to lead a project. The project was focused on a subject matter that I understood well because I covered key aspects of it in my masters degree. At first I thought leading the project would only require my technical knowledge but I very quickly found out that there was more to it. I needed to manage a team, timeline, budget and stakeholders. I knew that I needed tools to help me manage the project effectively but at the time I did not have the right vocabulary for it. I struggled to articulate what it was that I needed. After a lot of research I came to understand that I needed project management skills. I found a reputable course and wrote a motivation via email to my manager for the company to support me in studying project management. At the time all I wanted was tools to help me manage my project effectively. My manager was very supportive and actually told me that he thinks I would make a good project manager. I'm not sure what it was that he saw in me but he had this amazing ability to see people and bring out the best in them. After the first project management lecture, my perspective shifted and I knew then that my career would ultimately take a completely different turn than what I envisioned at the start of my career. I started to envision my career pivot and I then mapped out the journey ahead. I wrote down a very high level plan. I defined my end goal very clearly and added the detail over the years as I gained clarity.

As you can see, this career pivot wasn’t random, it was carefully thought out, intentional, and it came with a price. One key thing I want to highlight before moving forward is the importance of “counting the cost.” Before diving into any major decision, I firmly believe in assessing what it will require and being fully prepared to pay the price. For me, that price came in the form of a season where I was balancing both work and studying. It was no small feat.

On top of that, it was also my first year of marriage, which added a new layer of complexity. When I was single, I could take on more because my responsibilities were fewer. But now, I had to factor in the impact this would have on my marriage. So, it was crucial for my husband and I to have in-depth conversations about how to navigate this season. Together, we developed a strategy that worked for both of us.

This period required immense discipline. My life became highly structured, and I had weekly tasks that helped me stay on track. I dedicated at least 3 hours, three days a week, after work to studying and completing assignments. In the end, I passed with distinction, and with phase one behind me, it was time to plan the next steps toward achieving my long-term goal.

While a lot of the details were not clear, I knew that I needed to apply what I had learned and take all opportunities given to me to do so. I made a conscious decision that I would not study anything for the next 2 years to hone my skills, gain experience, focus on my career and most importantly pour into myself and my marriage.

I began applying everything I had learned to the project I was leading, and the results spoke for themselves. The project excelled. I quickly realized that I had a passion for project management, and there were numerous validating moments along the way. A few months later, I had the opportunity to take on a formal project manager role within our department, in addition to my responsibilities as a technical leader across multiple projects. On the surface, it seemed like a lot of work (and it was), but for me, it was exactly the kind of experience I had been yearning for.

This role gave me the chance to manage a program, which involved overseeing multiple projects at once. It was a stretch, but it equipped me with invaluable skills. This became my season of growth and preparation. I was part of a project management team with two senior colleagues who were more experienced, and I took every opportunity to learn from them. I applied everything I had learned, constantly seeking ways to improve and refine my approach.

This journey spanned three years, during which I juggled dual roles. What I’m most proud of is that I grew in both areas. As the three years drew to a close, I began to feel ready for the next step. Interestingly, other factors started pushing me toward a change as well. However, the year between when I felt ready and when I actually made the move was incredibly frustrating. In hindsight, I see that it wasn’t the right time yet. Everything is about timing.

When the time was right, I took the leap. And let me tell you, those years of preparation paid off. The first few months in my new role were challenging, everything was unfamiliar. I had to learn a new industry, new processes, and adjust to a whole new way of working. It was tough, but I was ready.

Looking back, I’m more convinced than ever that career pivots are not only possible, they’re achievable. One of the main things I want to convey through this platform is that careers are rarely linear. The possibilities are endless, and I hope we, as professionals, can embrace that fact. There's never a reason to feel stuck; you have the freedom to move, shift, and redefine your path whenever you're ready. Of course, it’s important to always count the cost, but know that you have the power to shape your career and your future.

Have you ever made a career pivot? What was that journey like for you? If you haven’t taken the leap yet, what’s holding you back?

Lots of love,

Zizo