I spent the first 10 years of my career chasing the highest paycheck. I thought I was just floating, but I was actually building my superpower.
In the beginning, I jumped from one job to another, basically following whoever paid me more. I was doing everything from technical support to Database Administrator to supporting bespoke systems.
I had no clear direction and did not have a mentor to guide or consult - I had nowhere really to go.
After a decade of this, I decided I needed a change. I decided to become a Project Manager as I thought I enjoyed working with people. At first, I worried that I was starting over. I thought all those years of technical work were just "past life" experience that wouldn't matter in management.
I was wrong.
When I stepped into that Project Manager role, I realized something powerful. I wasn't just a "Business" Project Manager who only cared about dates and charts. I was a Technical Project Manager.
Because of those 10 years of "floating," I could hold a real conversation with the technical team. I understood the environments. I could run a workshop and extract the real problems and solutions because I spoke their language. I wasn't just asking for updates; I was contributing to the solution.
That technical background became the foundation for the entire second half of my career. Whether as a Manager or an Agile Scrum Master, my ability to bridge the gap between "technical" and "business" is what set me apart.
The lesson I learnt and want to share with you all is that no experience is ever wasted.
You might feel like what you are doing right now is aimless. You might feel like it doesn't fit your "dream job." But you are building a toolbox. Someday, you will pivot, and you will realize that those "random" skills are actually the key differentiator that makes you unstoppable.
Your past is not a waste of time. It is your competitive advantage.
Have you ever realized that a past "useless" job actually taught you a critical skill you use today?
#GetNoticed #GetPromoted #GetPaid
Sarfraz.
P.S. If my story resonates and you feel like you're on a long, winding road without a clear map, let's change that.
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