Professional Pivoter & Thriver

2/17/2025

I started my career after grad school at a consulting firm in Flagstaff, AZ doing GIS (Geographic Information Systems). I thought that when I crossed the stage and got my diploma, I magically would be respected and have a seat at the table. Boy, was I wrong. Just because I put in the years of education really didn’t mean anything. I was book smart but not real-world experience smart. I mean, how could I be? I was 25.

Now, many years later, I feel like I’ve become a professional pivoter. Nothing can scare me or surprise me now. I’ve seen a lot. I’ve experienced a lot.

I’ve worked with colleagues both junior and senior to me and I’ve learned that you just have to get comfortable with the uncomfortable when it comes to your career. There will be ups, there will be lows, but how we react to them helps define who we are and what we’re made of. My mom used to say when things were low, “This too shall pass.” But you know what? When things are low, that statement is true, and when things are high, that statement is also true. So, it’s just best to lean in and go with it—you’ll learn more if you do.

I’ve been laid off twice. Once due to COVID and the loss of revenue coming into the company, and the second time because the early-stage startup ran out of funding. Neither felt good. Both made me question what I was doing. Both sent me to a dark place. But both times, I realized my superpower: diving in, researching, and networking.

Each time, I emerged stronger. I leveraged my connections, honed my skills, and stayed open to opportunities that I never would have considered otherwise. I learned that reinvention isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a sign of resilience. It’s about adapting, growing, and recognizing that setbacks are just setups for comebacks.

Over the years, I’ve shifted industries, taken on roles I never saw myself in, and developed expertise in areas I didn’t even know existed when I first started out. I’ve embraced uncertainty, leaned into discomfort, and come out thriving on the other side.

So, if you’re facing a pivot—whether by choice or circumstance—know that you’re not alone. It’s tough, it’s frustrating, and sometimes it feels downright impossible. But I promise, on the other side of that uncertainty, there’s growth, opportunity, and strength you didn’t even know you had. Keep going. Keep pushing. And remember: this too shall pass.