Switching industries is a big undertaking and often requires significant skill acquisition and determination, but knowing when the time is right and seizing the opportunity is just as important.
No matter how long you’ve been in your career, it’s not uncommon to question aspects of your role – you might wonder whether you’re utilising your skills well, what your promotion potential is, what kind of impact you’re making, or even whether you’re right for your profession in the first place.
While there are many reasons to consider a career switch, family, finances, and promotion are the most common. For Radhika Shah-Meade, chief of staff at narrative and risk intelligence platform Blackbird.AI, the allure of reinventing the tech world prompted her to switch from fashion to tech.
After serious discussions with her mentor about making the most of her diverse background in fashion, real estate and organization, Shah Mead decided to further her education and training in international business, allowing her to pursue a role that better aligned with her passions.
“My motivation for moving from fashion to tech was my fascination with the potential for technology to transform industries,” Shah Mead told SiliconRepublic.com. “I saw an opportunity to combine my creative background with the analytical and problem-solving power of technology. This combination allowed me to bring a unique perspective to the tech industry and drive innovation.”
Finding purpose
Prior to joining the startup Blackbird.AI, Shah-Meade worked in a biotech company where there were few opportunities for advancement or personal fulfillment, and she found herself living on autopilot, without challenges that sparked her interest and passion, preventing her from progressing in her career.
“So, despite having a newborn, the mission and startup life at Blackbird has been incredibly exciting and personally fulfilling for me. This was an opportunity to be part of an impactful organization led by two Bengali founders.”
Shah Mead, who is half Bengali, resonated with this sentiment deeply, believed in the company’s message, and was excited about his future career with the company. “Since then, my path to success has been driven by a relentless drive to learn and adapt to new challenges.”
She jokingly admitted that, as cliché as it may seem, every day is different in her new role. From juggling various responsibilities to ensuring the CEO’s agenda and the smooth running of the CEO office, her days involve managing executive schedules, prioritizing meetings, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
“In addition, I will be able to manage special projects, support decision-making and ensure the team’s strategic initiatives are progressing as planned. This role requires a combination of strategic thinking, organizational skills and a deep understanding of the technology environment,” said Shah Mead.
Career transitions often come with the need to upskill or reskill to meet new professional expectations. Shah-Meade says her new path required her to stay on top of industry trends. Soft skills like adaptability, continuous learning, effective communication and leadership were, and still are, just as important as the technical skills essential to the job.
“As someone coming from a non-technical background, I had to prove my abilities and earn trust in order to overcome prejudices and stereotypes,” she explained, noting the importance of championing diversity in the modern day.
Investors today are looking for unique and innovative ways of operating, she says. “Differentiation means offering something that makes you stand out from the competition, whether that be through technology, approach or company culture.”
“A diverse executive team brings different perspectives, experiences and problem-solving approaches, fostering a more inclusive and innovative company culture. That fosters collaboration, creativity and better decision-making, leading to stronger, more resilient organizations,” she said.
Fear factor
You can be your own biggest advocate, and with that in mind, Shah Mead would advise anyone considering a career change to let go of their fears and be prepared to start from scratch.
“Tap into your existing skills and experience, reach out to your network, find mentors and talk to people in your field of interest. People are so willing to collaborate and have conversations, you never know who in your network could provide valuable guidance and support.”
In her experience, change is not something to be feared, rather the ability to pivot and adapt is one of the most valuable skills you can have in any profession. Shah Mead is now extremely proud of the career path she once described as a “patchwork of instability”.
“Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to support some of the best, most passionate CEOs as they change the world,” she said. “I am proud of my transition from fashion to tech, building a strong personal brand, and contributing to meaningful projects that have influenced me.”
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