Little Miss Data: Guiding Your Career Journey through Uncertainty

Little Miss Data: Guiding Your Career Journey through Uncertainty

Introduction:

In the past two months, I have embarked on a new journey at Rapid7, leaving behind a long-term career at IBM. This decision was not taken lightly, as I had invested a significant portion of my adult life in building my technical executive path. However, with the advent of the great resignation, I found the courage to re-evaluate my goals and explore new opportunities. It took months of internal reflection and self-exploration, seeking guidance from trusted advisors, and even working with a career coach to redefine my true north. Now, armed with a clear vision of my dream career, I am ready to set sail and embrace new challenges and opportunities in my professional journey.

Full Article: Little Miss Data: Guiding Your Career Journey through Uncertainty

The Big Resignation: Navigating a Career Change and Finding Your True North

It has been two months since I started my new position at Rapid7. Prior to this, I’d been at IBM for sixteen years on a technical executive path that I had invested most of my adult life to develop. However, the recent phenomenon known as the “Great Resignation” has caused many individuals to reevaluate their career goals and opportunities. While this environment may have encouraged me to consider a change, it was a decision that had been brewing for quite some time.

Whispering Thoughts of Change

For years, I had a lingering thought that I wanted to try something different, something completely out of the ordinary. However, being a person who has always been highly focused and driven, these thoughts seemed like distractions. They scared me because it meant stepping away from the career path I had devoted so much time to building. So, I pushed these thoughts aside and stayed on course.

Demanding to Be Heard

Eventually, those thoughts grew too loud to ignore. They demanded to be acknowledged, regardless of how unclear and unformed they were. While I didn’t immediately commit to making a career move, I did make a promise to myself to explore these thoughts further. This self-exploration took me six months of dedicated introspection and learning to find the right path for my big move.

A Journey of Self-Exploration

As someone who openly shares my career experiences online, it was a departure for me to take a private, introspective approach to this process. I needed space to explore on my own, without external influences. It was a scary journey, but I hope that sharing my experiences can help others navigate their own career transitions.

Realizing My Compass Was Broken

While working at IBM, my ultimate goal was to become a top technical executive, a Fellow. Over time, I began to question whether this was truly the right path for me. Despite achieving significant milestones and having doors open for me, I didn’t feel the excitement I once did. It became clear that my compass was broken, and I needed to recalibrate my direction.

Asking for Directions

To find my way again, I sought guidance from trusted advisors in my network. I asked them how they were coping with the pandemic, hoping that my feelings were just a situational phase. I inquired about their own career journeys and sought inspiration from their experiences. I shared my situation with others, seeking advice and potential remedies for my career confusion.

Although these conversations provided valuable insights, I realized that I couldn’t find a solution without deeper reflection. That’s when someone recommended working with a career coach. Initially hesitant, I realized that I needed help understanding my goals and aspirations. I was introduced to Jennifer Gibbs, a former colleague and career coach specializing in mindset and internal exploration.

Defining a New North

Through my work with Jennifer, I embarked on a journey of self-reflection. I revisited my career journey, acknowledging the scars and limitations I had developed as a female working in tech for decades. It was a vulnerable and uncomfortable process, but it allowed me to shift from constantly proving myself to embracing a mindset of limitless dreaming.

I conducted an exercise to define my dream career life, listing the qualities I desired in a job, my engagement with the data community, learning paths, and opportunities to give back. Then, I compared this list to my current career commitments. It became clear that I needed to evaluate how I was spending my time and make cuts if I wanted to pursue a new path.

Setting Sail

With my new direction in mind, I set sail and began experimenting with different career activities. I explored the emerging roles of Chief Data Officer and Chief Data Analytics Officer, seeking out programs and opportunities to expand my skills in these areas. I enrolled in the Carnegie Mellon Chief Data Officer Certificate Program and engaged in various other avenues of growth.

Some experiences resonated with me, while others did not. But each experiment helped me further refine my new direction. Eventually, I knew it was time to put myself out there and embrace the next chapter of my career.

Final Thoughts

Making a career change can be daunting, but it’s essential to listen to those whispering thoughts and explore new possibilities. By seeking guidance, reflecting on your true aspirations, and being willing to experiment, you can navigate the unknown with confidence. Remember, it’s never too late to follow your true north and discover a path that aligns with your passions and values.

Summary: Little Miss Data: Guiding Your Career Journey through Uncertainty

After spending sixteen years at IBM, the author decided to make a big career move. The “great resignation” trend, combined with a long-time desire for change, finally spurred them to explore new opportunities. They realized that their true north was no longer aligned with their goals and decided to recalibrate their career path. Seeking advice from trusted advisors and working with a career coach, they embarked on a journey of self-reflection and exploration. Through this process, they defined their new north and started experimenting with different career activities. With a positive mindset and newfound clarity, they were ready to set sail and apply for new roles.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: What is data science and why is it important?

A1: Data science is an interdisciplinary field that involves the extraction of insights and knowledge from structured or unstructured data using scientific methods, algorithms, and systems. It encompasses techniques from various domains such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, and domain knowledge. Data science is vital because it enables organizations to make data-driven decisions, uncover patterns, identify trends, and solve complex problems, ultimately leading to improved efficiency and competitive advantage.

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