Balancing Risk and Reward in Career Change

“I want to change careers. But I don’t want to leave my current job before ensuring I can land my target role.” I've heard this dilemma from mid-career professionals too many times to count. It’s understandable – most people don’t want to risk losing what they have, for something they aren’t sure they can achieve. The reason people don't take such risks is uncertainty. Because the less we know about something, the more hesitant we are to do it. So, here's what I tell people in such cases. There are 3 simple yet effective ways to tackle uncertainty, especially during career change: 1. Small steps > Herculean efforts - Taking consistent micro-steps towards your goal is always better than working on the end goal right away - Eg, if you want to switch to data analytics, take a short course or speak with analytics experts before refreshing your resume and applying to 100s of roles - If you want to start a startup, build an MVP before launching a full-fledged business 2. Calculated risk > Leap of faith - If there’s a low chance of landing your target role, consider finding a role that's midway between your current and target role - Eg, if you want to switch from HR to product management, first find an HR role at a startup (ideally HRtech) and transition to a PM role afterward - This way, you make two smaller pivots that are easier versus one large pivot that’s harder 3. Hedging your bets > Hoping for the best - Stay put in your current role if you have the bandwidth to work on your transition on weeknights and weekends - Make sure you have sufficient savings for the transition period while you are in between jobs - It’s also wise to have a backup plan to find another more achievable role or return to your previous career, if needed ------------------------- Uncertainty is part of all career transitions. The above strategies can help improve your chances of making a successful shift, while keeping your options open in case things don’t work out. What steps have helped you navigate turbulence in your career?   #careerchange #careerswitch #planning

CAREER PIVOT: 5 TIPS FOR THE RISK-AVERSE Pivoting from finance to film wasn’t easy. But, as a person who naturally leans into risk, the leap felt more manageable. Over the years, I've learned that for many people with stable, well-paying positions, the fear of uncertainty can feel overwhelming. If you’re interested in taking a new direction, but feel hesitant, here are five practical tips to help you move forward. 1️⃣ Start with a Side Project 👉🏿 Instead of quitting your current job cold turkey, explore your new interest on the side. Freelance, volunteer, consult, or take on small projects related to the new field. This gives you hands-on experience without sacrificing financial stability. ✅ Test the waters before diving in. ⸻ 2️⃣ Conduct Low-Stakes Informational Interviews 👉🏿 Reach out to people working in roles or industries you’re curious about. Ask questions about what skills are most valuable, and what they wish they knew before starting. These talks can offer valuable, real-world insights. ✅ Fear fades with knowledge and connection. ⸻ 3️⃣ “Upskill" with Intention 👉🏿 Take short, inexpensive courses or get certifications that help with your new potential career. Choose platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or community workshops. These small investments will help build your confidence and résumé. ✅ Knowledge builds confidence, not just credentials. ⸻ 4️⃣ Redefine Risk 👉🏿 Not making a move can be its own risk—burnout, inaction, or lack of growth. Reframe your pivot and make a long-term investment in yourself. Ask: “What’s the risk of staying stuck?” ✅ A calculated risk is not recklessness—it’s strategy. ⸻ 5️⃣ Create a “Pivot Cushion” 👉🏿 Financial fear can paralyze progress. Build a safety net—save 3–6 months of expenses and focus on reducing debt—before you pivot. Knowing you have a cushion allows you to make smarter decisions. ✅ Peace of mind fuels bold (yet safe) moves. If you’re considering a career pivot, what are some things holding you back? And, if you’ve made a successful transition, feel free to share one nugget in the comments. #careerpivot #careerchange #thenuggetpodcast Jason P., Kara Urquhart-Green

Every career decision has costs. Most track money, not the rest. There are 4 types of wealth you trade with every job: → Financial wealth (money) → Social wealth (status) → Time wealth (freedom) → Physical wealth (health) Only 2 of these show up on your payslip. But all 4 shape your life. Here’s the trap high performers fall into: You chase jobs that promise 1 and 2: → Higher salary → Impressive title → Industry recognition But you pay the price with 3 and 4: 🚫 60-hour weeks become normal 🚫 You trade sleep for every “urgent” project 🚫 Family dinners disappear 🚫 Health becomes an afterthought The cruel irony? The more “successful” you become, the less wealthy you actually are. You gain money and status. But lose time and health. I learned this the hard way. A smarter approach. Before saying yes, ask yourself: 💡 What am I gaining in each wealth type? 💡 What am I giving up in each wealth type? 💡 Is this trade worth it right now? Not all rewards are real wealth. The most successful don’t optimise for money alone. They design their lives around all four. Jobs that pay in money and status but cost you freedom and health aren’t building wealth. They’re burning it. The real flex? A career that balances all four. ♻️ Share this with someone who needs it 👉 Follow Maryann (MJ) for daily insights on career growth 📷 Quote: James Clear

In my nine years at Amazon, I was able to ride its growth for my career, financial and personal success. But, how much of this success was repeatable? And how much was pure luck? While I can’t take full credit for the opportunities that came my way, there’s one “hack” that tipped the scales in my favor: → Taking risks. 𝗜𝗻 𝗠𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿: Before joining Amazon, I had a life in a different city: my own house, a well-paying job, and family and friends. It felt scary to leave everything behind and start from scratch. But I was eager to grow so I took the job. And it paid off. In nine years, I tripled my pay, bought a nicer house and grew to Senior Engineer. 𝗜𝗻 𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀: When I started at Amazon, I received $60k in Amazon RSUs. Spread out over 5 years, it wasn’t enough to change my life. So, rather than cashing out, I kept my investment for the long term. It’s a risky strategy but it made sense for me. As the stock doubled several years in a row, my investment grew. This financial cushion eventually allowed me to leave my job. 𝗜𝗻 𝗠𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Three years ago, I was at the peak of my Amazon career. But I wanted more impact and fulfillment from my work. I felt called to leave my job and pursue my mission of helping others. It was nerve-racking to let go of my steady paycheck, but I did it anyway. The first couple years were rough, with little money coming in. But they pushed to grow significantly: as a business owner, a coach and a human being. Today, I’m my own boss, control my time, and get to impact the lives of others. Now, I'm not suggesting you need to move cities and empty your savings into company stock to succeed. Your choices have to make sense for your circumstances and your life. But, predictable choices lead to predictable results. And taking calculated risks is one of the best ways to engineer luck in your career. —— If you’ve been contemplating a career move, the risks can feel scary and overwhelming. But, with proper planning and preparation, you can mitigate the risks and amplify the opportunities. If you’re a mid-career software engineer and want to engineer luck in your career, DM me ‘Forward’ and I’ll help you strategize your next move. PS: The chart below is the actual growth of my first Amazon grant .