Career Queens Podcast is a business podcast that spotlights career conversations with millennial women making moves in tech
In this episode, I speak to Marcelle Mbuyu, a Product Manager at Google, talks to me about her career pivot from sales to product management. This episode is for anyone that feels that they’ve hit a plateau in their current job and wants to pivot their career, as Marcelle’s story will inspire you to take the leap into a new role within your current job, or to move into a new industry or field altogether.
In order to pivot her career and land her dream role, Marcelle studied part time, networked and found stretch assignments at work. She also had to face several challenges along the way – from balancing a part time masters degree with a full-time job, to coping with racism and overcoming impostor syndrome.
Hear about Marcelle’s career pivot into people management
Quotes from the episode
Instead of Netflix-ing, I was… spending my Saturday afternoons in lectures. And my Saturdays and Sundays finishing assignments. But, I feel like it gives you a different type of fulfillment. And I’ve always said that, when you’re studying for yourself, as opposed to undergrad, it feels very different… there’s a different level of satisfaction that comes with it.
I knew how hard it was for a person like me to get there. And so, to let go of it felt like I was disappointing not only myself; but everybody who’d been fighting to get where I was. I was in the Mecca of tech, in a role that people would kill for… And [yet] here I was saying ‘no’.
Start with the end in mind.
3 Tips for your Career Pivot
- Use LinkedIn to identify and reach out to people in roles that you wish to be in
- Conduct informational interviews with said people
- Find assignments in work and/ or educational courses that will help you gain the knowledge, experiences and skills you need to pivot you career into your desired area
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