Change can be daunting, especially when considering a significant career shift.
As I pondered my own transition, the age-old question, “Is the grass truly greener on the other side?” often crossed my mind. Ultimately, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate your options, understand your true career aspirations, take a deep breath, and make a move that resonates with your personal and professional goals.
I understand that the transition won’t be without its challenges. When I shifted from a technology practitioner, specifically a security penetration tester, to a more business-focused role, I faced my fair share of doubts and even imposter syndrome. However, with the benefit of hindsight, I can confidently say that this move was the right one for me. After years on the business side of the technology industry, I have seen the value and impact of this decision.
My hope in sharing my experience and offering some guidance is to empower you to make informed choices that will lead you to a fulfilling and successful career path.
Staying Curious. Taking Chances
Curiosity has always been a driving force in my life, a trait I believe is shared by many of us with technical backgrounds. My eagerness to learn and grow has been a constant, and while penetration testing offered a fascinating and engaging experience, it also sparked a desire to engage more deeply in the strategic aspects of supporting our customers and advancing our business.
Embracing my curiosity and the willingness to take calculated risks, I approached my manager to discuss my interest in guiding our customers’ security strategies. This was a significant step, a leap of faith, but my manager recognised my dedication and was enthusiastic about fostering my career evolution.
The conversation proved fruitful. My manager offered me the opportunity to explore a transition to the business side through a small customer engagement. This chance to test the waters was invaluable, allowing me to make a well-informed decision about my future.
Simultaneously, I sought insights from colleagues in client management roles. I asked them about their career journeys, the aspects of their roles they found rewarding and challenging, and the skills they had developed to excel in their positions. These discussions provided a comprehensive view of what the transition would entail.
Reflecting on these conversations and my own background, I realised that my technical expertise and personal experiences aligned perfectly with my new aspirations. My parents were passionate business owners who always prioritised customer satisfaction and strategic growth. Their mindset, which I absorbed from a young age, reinforced my belief that I could successfully balance business goals with customer needs.
With this clarity, I took the plunge, confident that it was the right move for my career and personal growth.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Change often brings fear and doubt. Questions like, “Should I have pursued an MBA instead of a master’s in computer science?” or “Can I really succeed in this new path?” or “Should I just stick with penetration testing and deepen my technical skills?” or “Will I be able to go back if this doesn’t work out?” are common and natural.
But I urge you to stay the course. I’m grateful I did. The customer engagements were instrumental in building my confidence in my new role. I found joy in the conversations I had with customers, helping them craft strategies to achieve their goals. And then, a pivotal moment arrived: I had been traveling to customer meetings for several months when, unexpectedly, our executive who was supposed to join me for a particular meeting had to cancel at the last minute due to an emergency.
I was already on site and well-prepared to advance the project, so I took the meeting myself. After we concluded our business and the meeting was wrapping up, an executive from the customer’s side shared a powerful reflection: “I’d like to pause for a moment and tell you something. To be honest, I was the one person in the room who wasn’t in favor of moving this project forward. But after today’s conversation, I’m glad nobody listened to me.”
I had won over the customer. It was incredibly validating to see that I had not only convinced this individual of the value of my work but also of the value my organisation could bring to their business. This moment reassured me that I had made the right decision, and it can do the same for you. Embrace the change, and trust that your journey will lead you to new heights of success and fulfillment.
Is changing roles right for you?
This is a deeply personal question, one that only you can answer. Pursuing major life changes, especially career transitions, requires significant energy, focus, and dedication. It’s essential to lean on your network for diverse perspectives and to establish mentors who are committed to your growth, regardless of the path you choose. Take the time to research and truly understand what you want. Define what success means to you.
Reflect on your aspirations and build the skills necessary to achieve them. Engage with individuals who are in the roles you aspire to and seek their guidance. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that people genuinely want to help you. While putting yourself out there can be anxiety-inducing, the support and insights you gain are invaluable. So, stay curious, continue to educate yourself, and have confidence in your decisions.
There will be challenges along the way, but perseverance is key. If your journey mirrors mine, you’ll find that the effort is more than worth it.
