Skills

How I Transitioned My Skills to New Areas Without Starting from Zero

Maximizing Existing Skills in New Endeavors

“Link your past experiences and successes to a career in systems engineering, specifically when using the V-Model.” — Friend

The V-Model, like the Agile methodology is a guide for teams to work through a project’s lifecycle. An iterative approach primarily in software development.

I was translating experimental work and research in such a way that it became product development. It made sense because the proposal around the project was geared to drug delivery as an outcome.

For 10 years I’ve spent my time in academia honing various skills. I would think after all these years I’ve spent, would all of it go down the drain now that I want to pivot careers or dive into different projects?

There’s always a way to leverage our existing skills in new adventures. We don’t have to start from zero.

Self-Assessment

Like stepping on a scale before starting a diet, you have to know where you’re at to know where you need to go. We need a reality check.

Objectively evaluate current skill set

Write down every skill you have, even if it’s too basic.

I thought about projects or things I worked on daily or weekly.

• I’ve skills in repairing electronics and cars, finding resources and being resourceful
• Writing, technical, copywriting, texting, email
• text/audio/video editing
• Programming languages
• Web Dev
• etc.

I was writing up a resume. I used to write resumes based on positions, but my uncle told me I should have a ‘master resume’ that contained ALL skills and experiences.

With the master resume I would be able to pick and choose the skills necessary for any position I was applying for that fit the skills needed.

Identifying ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ skills that are transferable

Are you a good listener? That’s a skill! Know how to code? Another skill!

I never understood why these had to be labeled ‘soft’ or ‘hard’ because any skill is difficult/hard for an individual until you get to some competent level.

If you’ve applied for a job before you’d be very familiar with distinguishing these skills. For ‘soft’ skills these were the top on my list:

• Communication. It helps to enhance the teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving processes.
• Adaptability. Life is unpredictable and being able to adjust to changes and remain effective is valuable.
• Customer service oriented. Regardless of the field, a mindset of serving and understanding the needs of others goes a long way.

I spent years in materials science engineering, and guess what? I realized it wasn’t for me. Felt like a failure at first, but that experience wasn’t a waste.

I moved to software engineering and writing, and I apply lessons from my past all the time.

I realized that the analytical thinking and the meticulous approach I developed in my previous field were gold in my new areas of interest.

My exposure to a rigorous, process-oriented environment ingrained in me a deep appreciation for structure and organization, which proved to be beneficial when crafting coherent pieces of writing or logic.

Research taught me patience and persistence. Research demands both, as does learning a new programming language or refining one’s writing style.

These soft skills were not listed in my job descriptions but were the silent engines driving my successes in every project and task I undertook in my new fields.

There’s A LOT to jot down and reflect on.

Skill-Mapping

Whether it’s a new job, project, or hobby, I had to find out how my old skills fit in.

Connecting current skills to requirements in a new field. I looked at job descriptions or project requirements. Highlighted keywords to see if they match any on my list.

A good example of this is if you were a teacher looking to transition into corporate training. You’d notice requirements like “ability to present information clearly,” “developing and implementing training programs,” or “evaluating the effectiveness of training activities.”

You’ll recognize parallels with your current or past roles. Teaching demands clear communication, curriculum development, and assessing students’ progress. These skills align with those listed in the corporate training role.

It was seeing the connections and identifying the parallels.

Highlighting keywords in the job description or project requirements that resonate with my experiences and skills. It wasn’t about having a one-to-one match but recognizing the essence of what is required and how my skills can fulfill these needs.

It was good for helping craft a resume, preparing for interviews, or planning career transitions strategically.

Case studies showcasing successful skill transitions:

One of my colleagues started in the field of criminal justice. With time, his path took a twist, leading him to pursue a PhD in Chemistry, of all things! Today, he is making significant contributions in a prestigious National Lab.

My journey’s been somewhat of a gentle river of change. From dabbling in materials science research to tinkering with robotics, and eventually settling into the software engineering. I’ve zig-zagged through aspirations of being an electrical engineer, doctor, nurse, business professional, and technical drafter since my middle school days.

Let’s not forget the flavorful side projects that added a dash of creativity and entrepreneurship to the mix, like freelancing, video editing, and Facebook ads.

Our collection of skills is like a keychain that keeps growing. Each key might open different doors, leading to unknown, exciting places. When you have a destination in mind, scour through your keychain. You may already possess the perfect set to open the door to your goal.

The quest of skill acquisition and transition is unpredictable but filled with possibilities.

Mini-Projects and Testing the Waters

The feeling of being overwhelmed is real. Especially in the broad career path of Software Engineering. Chill.

You don’t need to leap into the unknown. You can take baby steps.

• Set up small-scale projects to try out your existing skills in new contexts: Start a mini-project related to your new field. Use it as a playground for your skills. I took up courses, joined communities, and went to events.
• Iterating based on outcomes: Got feedback? Good or bad, it’s a learning opportunity.

“The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” — Brian Herbert

The best feeling is when you can apply something new and see if it works right away.

Iterate like a scientist experimenting, observe the results and adjust as you go along.

That’s how I fine-tuned my software skills, and you can do it too! I still make mistakes and that’s okay.

Networking Friends in High Places (and Low Ones Too!)

I didn’t go at this alone. I had the support of my wife, friends, and communities.

Finding people who have successfully transitioned skills to different fields: I joined the Cheeky Scientist community back in 2021. It helped with job transitions and I got to witness others transition.

I joined the JumpCut Academy in 2018 for YouTube and Facebook Ads but in the end stuck with Copywriting at Copywriting Course. Badassery Academy in 2022, and the The Writers League in 2023, for writing on Medium.

Look up LinkedIn profiles or bios of people who have made a similar transitions or had positions of interest.

I still reach out to people to gain insights. Some will respond and you meet them, and some don’t.

I asked questions and got advice. It’s like having a cheat sheet for your new path. It was all to gain insight and information to figure out if it’s something you want to do.

I tried everything from freelancing in writing to buying and selling cars when I was in between careers. I kept networking and found my place. So cast your net wide, you never know what you’ll catch!

Final Thoughts

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

We’ve got skills. Lots of them. They’re more versatile than you think.

It’s all about being smart and strategic in how we apply them in new contexts.

Wherever we wish to go, our skills are our companions, guiding, and supporting us, making the journey not just possible, but also rewarding and fulfilling

Give yourself the credit you deserve. Be fearless.