After the Pivot — One Year Later
It’s been an exciting year since I pivoted into tech. Like any journey worth pursuing, there are lots of ups and downs. For some, it’s the (downward) adjustment to pay. For others, it’s the loss of domain expertise or marquee status of their former industries. Regardless, it’s a tough journey to start something new and leave familiar things behind.
So, why do it? It could be that you just need a job to pay the bills. Or maybe you are bored in your current career/industry and relish the challenge of trying something new, unique, different, or difficult (NUDD). For others yet, it could be a sense of purpose and meaning they are looking to impart to their lives. Regardless, it’s important to define and understand the “why” to manage the shit storm of anxiety/stress you will experience as you start on this journey.
I have always been a purpose-driven individual who wants to make a difference and create positive impact. I wasn’t able to articulate it at the time of my pivot, but I have come to a point in my life where I want to work for more than a pay check. I need a reason why, a sense of meaning. My North Start became using my knowledge, drive, and expertise to help Alberta diversify its economy and chart a new path for itself.
Alberta is at a cross-roads with respect to its place in the world. It is imperative that the province adapt and move beyond the east vs. west rhetoric. I had the option of making an incremental change, i.e., staying in my former industry and help it evolve, or moving to another industry and help diversify the economy. Collect a comfy paycheck, or be part of the change I wanted to see.
This need for purpose meshes well with my need for new challenges and novel experiences. I like to try different things and thrive in high growth environments. As I get older, working at an organization that’s aligned with my values of being challenged, continuous growth, and “yes, and” culture is paramount rather than working in a marquee industry with high pay.
In an era when brand new industries are popping up every decade, staying in a single industry for my entire career seems outright dangerous. The risk of becoming obsolete is just too high. I wanted to tackle that risk at mid-point in my career rather than in my 40s with two young kids or in my 50s when I would be considered “too expensive”.
I also got really tired of being an engineer. Going through the MBA program really crystallized my need to work at the intersection of technology, business, and strategy. It wasn’t enough to look at problems from a technical perspective anymore. I have always been a broad thinker, and working from a narrow engineering perspective wasn’t enough anymore. I yearned for something bigger.
Managing your mental health after the pivot
In many ways, the actual pivot starts on the first day of your new job in a new industry. So, if you are contemplating a pivot, ask yourself “why”. Weathering the inevitable anxiety storms in the initial months of the pivot will be easier with a cogent set of reasons you can remind yourself to quieten the inner chatter.
After a year in tech, it’s amusing to see the “deer caught in headlights” look in other pivoters, but that was me in the first six months. The sheer amount information I had to absorb was stressful. The performance anxiety and impostor syndrome were real. Reminding myself of the why’s early on helped manage the insecurities and regrets.
So far, I have been super impressed with the sense of camaraderie, progressive mindset, and diversity in the Calgary tech scene. There’s a real sense of we are in this together, so let’s strengthen the community. I certainly plan on staying in tech for a while.
So, if you are contemplating a move, start with the why and let that be your beacon.
