Analyzing Career Trajectories

Elite performers don't stumble into their next chapter — they design, engineer, and execute their way to it. After guiding hundreds through career transitions, I've developed a framework that transforms fuzzy potential into decisive action. I used it for myself, and now I share it with others going through their own transitions: 1️⃣ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 Start with identity, not job titles: - What archetypes do you currently embody? (engineer, connector, wife) - What archetypes do you aspire to? (thought leader, founder, mother) This reveals underlying motivations that job descriptions can't capture. 2️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅 Rate each aspirational archetype on three dimensions using a 1-5 scale: ✅ Excitement 5: Energized just thinking about it 3: Neutral or ambivalent 1: Bored or unmotivated ✅ Difficulty 5: Already embodying this identity 3: Unclear what changes would be needed 1: Requires major life pivot ✅ Impact 5: Aligns with life's calling 3: Moderately aligned 1: Potentially negative impact 3️⃣ 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Analyze what emerges: - Which paths get you most excited? These reveal intrinsic motivations. - Which paths seem most accessible? These offer immediate next steps. - Which paths align with your values? These reveal deeper purpose. Look for relationships: - Which paths are complementary and reinforce each other? - Which paths are sequential where one leads to another? - Which paths are concurrent and can be pursued simultaneously? 4️⃣ 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲𝘀 A lot of people get stuck in reflection, journaling, and hypothesizing. 📊 Enough thinking. Time to get real data by rapidly testing hypotheses: 1. Conversations with people living your target archetypes 2. Relevant resources (books, podcasts) 3. Low-risk experiments to try these identities A client tested his "investor" archetype by joining an angel group with minimal commitment — revealing he missed the team dynamics from previous work. I used to think I wanted to do BizOps -- and then discovered legal and accounting are energy-draining for me. Now I delegate those tasks away! 5️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 Career reflection isn't one-and-done: 1. Form initial hypotheses 2. Test with small experiments 3. Gather observations 4. Refine understanding 5. Gradually increase commitment as clarity emerges 👇 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 What separates exceptional careers from good ones isn't just talent—it's deliberate reflection and strategic choices. This framework isn't about finding the "perfect" next step but creating alignment between who you are, who you want to become, and your desired impact. With this clarity, your search becomes less about chasing opportunities and more about recognizing ones that truly fit. Take thirty minutes today to begin this reflection—your future self will thank you.

Of non-linear career trajectories and paths...... I started my career as a full-time clinician (Paediatrician) and moved to become a clinician who worked in research. These days I see myself as a researcher who works as a clinician... 😊 I think non-linear career paths are a double-edged sword, they can be exciting, engaging, and many times fulfilling. They also can be froth with fear and anxiety because the pathways are usually nebulous and there are no manuals for progression or pre-defined steps to take for a successful career. Over the years, I have applied a few principles to my path and I thought to share- 👉 Learning from others Never underestimate the power of learning from those who are a few steps ahead of you. A 30-minute conversation with someone ahead of you can provide insights that can take you the next few years to learn on your own. I think knowledge is power and knowing how things work is always an advantage and brings clarity. There is a popular saying - "There is no favorable wind for a sailor who does not know where they are heading". I think clarity comes from knowing. Many times, you do not need to ask to know, at times just observing tells you a lot. People are also willing to help others who can show they have made an effort for themselves. 👉 Avoid building career silos Silos by nature are isolated from each other. I think when there is no linkage between career decisions, progress is minimal and career decisions can feel like we are starting all over (In some instances, this might be necessary). I think this can bring with it negative feelings of sadness, doubt, or feeling insufficient. I think one guiding principle for me has been to build on past experience and link the next experience to a previous one. At times it feels like weaving tapestry but it gives you a sense of fulfilment and a feeling of progress. 👉 Make career decisions that resonate with your values. I think one side effect of a non-linear career path is the multitude of possible career pathways that open up to you. Someone once said it brings with it the problem of many choices. The more I go down this part, the more I recognise it is important to mute the 'noise' around. Listen to yourself. What do you value, and what gives you fulfillment? 👉 Have a growth mindset I think I have always been guided by opportunities that make me grow and develop in a multitude of ways and those that drive me to bring more value to myself and my chosen field. I think growth brings a sense of fulfillment and calm when you navigate a non-linear career path If you see yourself as someone who has navigated the non-linear career pathway, please comment below on strategies you have used successfully throughout your career and join the conversation. Perhaps someone might find value in this 😊 #phdjourney #careerdevelopment #careertalk #career

🚀 My Career Transition: From Scientist to Data Analyst Career transitions are like peeling an onion—layered and complex, often revealing more as you dig deeper. Reflecting on my journey, I can relate to the nuanced process of "The Right Way to Make a Big Career Transition." Here’s my story of moving from a scientist to a data analyst, and the lessons I picked up along the way. ❇ My Journey After completing my Master’s in Chemistry, I started a career as a scientist. Over time, though, I realized my true passion was in data and analytics. The idea of making data-driven decisions and uncovering insights to drive business success was too compelling to ignore. This led me to pursue a second Master’s in Business Analytics. What Worked for Me 🌟 Experimentation: During my time in chemistry, I often took on data analysis projects on the side. This hands-on experience confirmed my interest and skill in this new field. Just as the article suggests, experimenting with a passion project before fully committing to it was key. 🌟 Skills Development: Gaining the necessary skills was crucial. I dedicated time to learning programming languages like Python and R and mastering tools such as SQL and Tableau. These skills weren’t just for my resume; they were vital for my transition. 🌟 Networking and Mentorship: Connecting with others in the data analytics community provided insights and opportunities. Mentors who had made similar transitions offered invaluable guidance and support. 🌟 Regret Minimization Framework: Like Jeff Bezos, I used a regret minimization framework. I asked myself, "What will I regret more at 80—staying in my comfort zone or pursuing a career that excites me?" The answer was clear, making my decision easier. Challenges Faced ✨ Overcoming Rejections: Switching careers is rarely straightforward. I faced numerous rejections, often because my experience didn’t perfectly match job requirements. Persistence was key. As the article notes, you only need one person to take a chance on you. ✨ Adapting to a New Field: Moving from a purely scientific role to a data-centric one required a significant mindset shift. I had to learn to think like a business analyst, focusing on how data impacts business decisions rather than just scientific discovery. 🚀 The Payoff Becoming a data analyst has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. It’s allowed me to combine my analytical skills with business insight, creating a fulfilling and dynamic career. This journey has reinforced the importance of following one’s passion and being open to change, even when it’s scary. Parting Advice If you’re thinking about a career transition, here are a few tips: Start Small | Seek Guidance | Build Relevant Skills | Be Persistent Career transitions are messy, but with curiosity, conviction, and commitment, they can lead to a future you’ll be proud of. 🌟 #CareerTransition #DataAnalytics #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalJourney #businessanalytics

Career Escape Velocity: Why Some Careers Soar While Others Stall Why do some careers plateau while others skyrocket into decades of influence and success? The answer lies in career escape velocity—a concept that separates lifelong impact from early obsolescence. Having observed thousands of careers over 20+ years as a consultant, I’ve noticed a clear pattern: most careers follow an arc—growth, peak, and decline. But a select few break free and keep soaring. The Career Trajectory Breakdown 1. CEOs & CXOs: Hit escape velocity, continuing as board members, advisors, or mentors long after retirement. Their expertise is always in demand. 2. Business GMs & Operators: Their career arc peaks unless they transition into C-level roles. Many still achieve financial stability before decline. 3. Middle Managers: Their trajectory initially mimics CXOs, but many plateau due to lack of capability, drive, or ambition. 4. Individual Contributors: Their careers span longer but with slower progress. The Career Arc & Resistance to Change When enterprises undergo transformation, those whose careers are on the decline resist change the most—because they have the most to lose. Successful transformation requires identifying and transitioning these "zones of resistance" before they derail progress. The 4 Traits of Leaders Who Achieve Career Escape Velocity 1. Relentless work ethic – They are always “on.” 2. Strong mentors/advisors – They have people who advocate for them when they’re not in the room 3. Comfort with discomfort – They constantly push beyond their comfort zone 4. Ambition-driven decisions – Their personal choices align with career acceleration. Now a bit more controversial observation: Even though we read about how people skills are very critical for leaders, my observation is there is no direct correlation between people skills and once ability to reach career escape velocity. Which of these traits do you think is the hardest to develop? Drop your thoughts in the comments! #Zinnov #Leadership

Choosing a public health career path when you have multiple interests: How one framework guided my unconventional Global Health career choices Having multiple interests and passions is often seen as an advantage, people say it makes you adaptable and multifunctional. As a multipotentialite, I believed this too until it came time to choose a career path in global health after moving from clinical medicine. My goal was clear: to strengthen health systems such that everyone everywhere has access to quality health care at the time they need it with the minimal constraints. But the routes to get there? Countless. I was interested in multiple areas in global health, from disease-specific and life cycle themes like maternal/child health and malaria, to skill-based tracks like biostatistics and health management. To navigate this, I began searching for a way to structure my thinking and bring clarity to my options. I used the data value chain to guide my choices. See the picture below (not exhaustive of the career choices and skills but you catch the drift 😃). Public health has always been rooted in data, from surveillance and monitoring to planning and implementation. Different roles in this chain contribute to health system strengthening in different ways. The data value chain maps how data moves through systems: from collection, to storage, analysis, decision-making, and finally, implementation. Each stage demands a different set of skills and to an extent, different personality traits. - Data collection often suits those who are detail-oriented and thrive in fieldwork. - Analysis calls for critical thinking, comfort with numbers and complexity. - Strategic decision-making requires systems thinking, strong communication, and the ability to synthesize insights into action. Conducting a SWOT analysis at each stage helped me assess where I had a competitive edge, where my passions aligned, and what knowledge gaps I needed to fill for growth.Through this process, I found myself drawn to the middle-to-end of the chain, where analytic output turns to strategy, policy and impact. That clarity helped me shape my career intentionally. At McKinsey, I honed the skill of turning complex data into strategy and action plans. Now, at the World Bank, I apply data insights to developing projects that can be financed, to strengthen health systems at scale. More than anything, this framework helped me evaluate job opportunities not just by title or prestige or asking, “Is this a good job?” but by asking: “Does this align with the part of the chain where I can make the most impact?” It’s important to emphasize that this framework isn’t to box yourself into one part of the chain because some skills and personality traits may be cross-cutting, but to use it as a tool for assessment and alignment with your strengths, interests, and long-term vision. I hope this helps. Remember careers are not entirely linear so, explore! Was this helpful? #publichealth