Embracing the Unknown

Personal essay on career change and embracing uncertainty

Enter the career change.

Needing to harness this technology and creative expression, I discovered BCITs New Media Program. A perfect fit, immersing me in it all. What followed was an intense, transformative period of exploration and growth.

Within a week of graduating the program, I secured my first professional gig as a designer at a small webshop. This proved ideal, as I was surrounded by colleagues who strengthened my skills as a front-end developer, UI designer, and project manager.

Two decades later, I lead product design for a $100 million SaaS company. Now, this is by no means a full biography because, let's be honest, that would be pathetically boring. Here's where we jump into some lessons and the true reason for this reflection on my professional journey.

Never be afraid of making mistakes!

They are inevitable, but when you embrace uncertainty and forge your path, that habit will help you endure. However, I also learned that the old adage of 'faking it till you make it' is misguided, and it's crucial to have a solid grasp of your craft and be genuine about where you need to grow. We are so lucky (and in some respect unlucky) to have such a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips, and education has transcended brick-and-mortar institutions to being something we can literally 'plug' into anywhere. So read, take a course or two in your spare time, become self aware enough to identify what needs attention and improve.

Learn from those around you!

It is also essential to have good people around you. My winding journey was enormously enriched by supportive colleagues, mentors, and loved ones who strengthened my skills and my resolve to keep on going.

Stay Curious

As a parent myself today of two amazing girls, I've carried these and other lessons into raising them, but none more often than the power of curiosity, exploration and lifelong growth. There is no guarantee of a 'sure thing' regarding a prescribed career plan. While we fully support higher education, degrees don't determine capability either — it's your mindset and the diverse perspectives gained along the nonlinear path one takes.

My journey underscores the notion that it's okay not to have all the answers. I used to think I had all the answers when I was young, ambitious, and somewhat arrogant. However, as we all know, the world is far more complex and nuanced than we initially thought. When plans derail, that uncertainty can be a valuable teacher if you embrace it. Your resilience and adaptability become paramount in keeping your momentum.

Let this be a call to those who feel lost in the sea of choices, to those who are daunted by the pressure to choose the 'right' path, and to those who fear they are too late to change direction: it is never too late to embrace the unknown. The most beautiful destinations often lie beyond the map's edge, in the uncharted territories of our lives.

Please share your stories of uncertainty, change, and discovery in the comments below. How have you navigated the unknown in your life? What lessons have you learned along the way? Let's inspire each other with our journeys, for together, we find the courage to step into the unknown and discover what we're truly capable of.