Between Pinterest-perfect desk setups, color-coded Notion dashboards, iced matcha at 9:03 a.m., and “I don’t dream of labor” TikToks…👀 It’s hard to tell what work is actually supposed to give in 2025.

I know that pivoting can sometimes feel like starting all over again, like hitting the reset button. But you don’t have to start over; you just need to re-route. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I’ve seen firsthand how a strategic pivot can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

Despite years of education and prestigious positions, I realized that my identity extended far beyond my job title. It's a lesson I've carried with me into my current role. While our careers are undoubtedly important, they're not synonymous with our identities or our purpose.

Today, I find myself working alongside colleagues with impressive credentials – PhDs and master's degrees galore – and I wholeheartedly applaud their achievements. Yet, it's crucial to acknowledge that we all arrived at this destination via two distinctly unique journeys, each offering something valuable.