After my divorce, I found myself questioning many things, including some of my career choices. Like the fact that I had followed my ex-husband into teaching, simply because if he was getting summers off, I wanted to be able to join him. However, once I was on my own, I started to wonder how I might be able to get into a new line of work. It took a leap of faith on my part to prove to myself that I could do something else.
Some pivots have been hoisted on me, things like moving states with that same ex because of his job, while others have been of my doing, like selling myself as a tech evangelist, when I barely knew how to cut and paste but could definitely connect with people. That particular pivot worked and launched my career in the start-up tech world. The ability to pivot, whether it’s into a different team, a different company or even a different industry can be a superpower.
Pivoting is more than job-hopping however. It can mean completely changing industries, moving to another country, or starting over in a new field. And although it may sound scary, it can also be rewarding and proof of all you can achieve. Taking a chance on yourself is one of the best risks you can take. Because if you fail, at least you’ve tried and learned something about yourself in the process.
How to think about pivoting
Embrace being a generalist. It’s okay to not be an expert in only one field. These people are called specialists and if you are the slightest bit ADHD or curious about more than one thing, chances are you are what we call a generalist. And the best part about being a generalist is that we can utilize our skills across a broad swath of industries and different types of jobs. Our careers are more about breadth than depth. When I reframed my career in this light, it was easy to see how I was able to navigate the challenges that came my way.
Know your strengths. This allows you to be in control of your narrative. By understanding the value you bring to different situations, you realize how much of what you already know (and rock at) is transferable. You can tell that story and adapt it as necessary. No problem. Work on your pitch. Sell yourself according to the audience.
Conduct experiments. Ask yourself questions about the industry or new place you’re investigating. Take the time to do the research about what is currently happening in the space where you want to transition. Ask others you may know in the industry questions about their career. Go to a meetup. Be curious about what is possible and how you might be able to get there.
Keep an open mind. I have friends who have ruled out jobs in tech, thinking they’re too old or aren’t “techie” enough. I’d argue that these are exactly the people who should be working in tech. A big part of being able to pivot is trusting that you can do the job, even if it seems a bit out of your comfort zone.
Pivoting allows you to bring a new perspective because you’re seeing things with fresh eyes, which means that you can suggest things others can’t, make unique connections, and benefit from an outsider point of view.
Pivoting, whether in your career or your relationship, doesn’t have to be scary and you don’t have to go it alone. Check out the work of Sarabeth Bickerton who does work around being a hybrid professional and figuring out a work identity that goes beyond typical titles.
