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Careers Aren't Straight Lines. They Squiggle and Stumble Toward Success

Career pivots aren't setbacks; they're steps to success. Here's how career zigzags shaped my growth.

Overview
Joseph Jude shares his 30-year, non-linear career journey-from videographer to CTO-illustrating how each pivot added depth, created unique insights, and ultimately enabled greater freedom, respect, and purpose.

Key Takeaways

  • Embrace career pivots as intentional steps toward growth, not setbacks.
  • Seek mentors who model high standards and integrity; learn directly from them.
  • Be willing to do the grunt work and dive deep into new domains.
  • Leverage diverse experiences to connect dots and add strategic value.
  • Use accumulated expertise to negotiate flexibility (e.g., reduced workweek, homeschooling).

Who Would Benefit

  • Early-career engineers considering a change of direction.
  • Mid-level technical managers looking to broaden their skill set.
  • Aspiring leaders who want to build influence through varied experiences.
  • Professionals seeking work-life flexibility and purpose.

Frameworks and Methodologies

  • Beginner's mind: approach each new role with curiosity.
  • Mentor-guided learning: actively seek and follow mentors.
  • Cross-domain skill building: deliberately acquire skills outside your current field.
Source: jjude.com
#career development#leadership#engineering management#technical leadership#career pivots#mentor#personal growth#CTO#software engineering

Explore more resources

Check out the full stdlib collection for more frameworks, templates, and guides to accelerate your technical leadership journey.