Career Pivoting With Intention: My Journey from Pharma to Finance
We are often taught that a career is a ladder. You pick a lane, you climb, and you pray you don’t realize halfway up that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.
In the South Asian script, that ladder is usually pre-selected: Medicine, Engineering, or Law. I chose Pharma. I liked the science; I liked the research. But to be honest, I was trying to stay as close to my sister’s path as possible without the pressure of perfection that comes with medicine. As someone who feels very deeply, I knew my heart couldn’t handle that life-or-death pressure.
However, after seven years in Pharma, the hard truth was: I didn’t feel tied to it in the slightest. My job was simply a means to an end – a way to fund the comfortable, experience-rich family life I craved. But with long commutes and a salary that had more or less capped, the industry could no longer serve me.
I realized I didn’t need a new ladder; I needed a comprehensive career pivot strategy.
Step 1: Stop Selling Your Past, Start Selling Your Process
When I decided to make a career switch from Pharma to Project Management in Finance, I knew a recruiter in a bank wouldn’t care about my bioassays. If I sold my technical experience, I’d be ignored.
I had to sell my transferable skills.
I leaned into my genius: structuring chaos. I stopped talking about “research” and started talking about leading stakeholders, troubleshooting bottlenecks, and managing complex timelines. I got my PMP, took on a “grow gig” to execute an internal mobility strategy, and shadowed PMs. I didn’t have the title yet, but I had the strategic self-concept to prove I could do the work. I structured my resume to tell the story and eventually, the interview sealed the deal.
Step 2: The “Bridge” Job vs. The “Dream” Job
Here is the part people miss: Sometimes, your next move isn’t the “forever” move. It’s the bridge job strategy.
I applied to nearly 1,000 jobs. I was persistent, motivated, and highly strategic. When I landed my role in Finance, it came with a significant pay bump and the hybrid flexibility I needed for work-life alignment.
Is it my ultimate soul-calling? No. But it is a blessing. This job funds my dream. It provides the financial freedom for me to build my coaching practice. It is a vital stepping stone in my journey.
Step 3: Career Switch for Values, Not Just a Paycheck
If you pivot solely for external goals, like money in and of itself, you will eventually cap out. You might have a bigger paycheck, but you’ll still be waking up on Monday morning feeling like you’re trapped in a different version of the same boring box.
An intentional pivot must be tied to a deeper value. I pivoted because I valued time, family, and the autonomy to build my coaching practice. For you, it might be a shift toward your true dharma – like a doctor pivoting to become a college professor to honor a love for teaching. Because I knew I was building a life that supported my future as a mother and a coach, the mountain of applications didn’t break me. I wasn’t just looking for a new job; I was looking for a new way to live.
Step 4: The Reality Check (Don’t Give Up When It Gets Messy)
Let’s be honest: pivoting is exhausting. I faced weeks of total silence where I felt completely invisible. And then there were the heartbreaks.
I once applied for an internal role that felt like my “dream job.” After HR gave me the offer, I simply asked if working from home was an option. They rescinded the offer immediately. No discussion, no negotiation. They didn’t even bother to respond to my follow-up, despite my investment in the role.
It hurt, but looking back, I didn’t lose out. I escaped. I realized I didn’t want to work for someone who wouldn’t even have a human conversation with an employee who was that invested. You don’t lose anything by asking for what you need. You only lose when you settle for a situation that makes you small.
If you want to pivot, you have to be ready for the rejections and the doors that slam shut. Don’t stay stuck just because you’re afraid of the word “no.” The right fit is out there, but you have to be the one to persevere and you find it.
The Career Pivot Strategy
If you feel stuck in your current “script,” it’s time to look at the gap between where you are and your dharma.
- Identify Your Skill: What is the one thing you do at work that feels like “play” to you but “work” to others? (For me, it was PM-ing).
- Stop the “Inaction Tax“: Are you waiting for a title before you apply? Instead, leverage your transferable skills.
- Leverage the Bridge Job Strategy: If your dream career doesn’t pay the bills yet, what bridge job strategy would give you the financial freedom to build it messily on the side?
Dharma isn’t just about “what” you do; it’s about the alignment of the transition. You don’t need a permission slip to change lanes. You just need a strategy.
Don’t get left behind. If you’re ready to reclaim the driver’s seat, subscribe to the newsletter for weekly strategies on career pivoting, intentional finance, and finding your dharma.
The Coaching Corner: Navigating the Gap
The space between where you are and where you’re going can feel like a void. It’s that uncomfortable middle ground where the old job doesn’t fit anymore, but the new life hasn’t fully materialized. This is where most people retreat back to safety. They stay in the “safe” box because the uncertainty of the gap feels like a failure.
If you’re tired of the “all-or-nothing” cycle — where you’re either burnt out at work or paralyzed by the scale of your dreams, I’m here to guide you. I help high-achievers bridge the gap between their “old script” and their true calling. We work on the mindset shifts required to treat your current role as a partner in your future, not an anchor to your past. Apply here for a free coaching session and let’s start building your career pivot strategy today.
