The 8 Stages of My Career Transformation

A personal reflection on what it really takes to reinvent yourself

Changing careers in your 40s isn’t just a professional shift — it’s an emotional, mental, and spiritual one. Looking back on my own journey from leadership into tech, I can see how transformation unfolds in stages. Some were messy. Some were empowering. All of them changed me.

Here’s what my eight stages of career transformation looked like:

1. Disengagement

For me, it started with a quiet feeling, the sense that I’d outgrown where I was. I loved leading teams and delivering results, but something in me wanted more meaning and challenge. That’s when I began mentally and emotionally stepping away from my old career identity, even before I had a clear plan for what was next.

2. Disidentification

Once I left my familiar world of management, I had to face a bigger question: Who am I without that title? For years, I’d defined success by KPIs, promotions, and performance. Suddenly, I had to rebuild my sense of self, not as a manager, but as a learner, a student, and eventually a tech professional.

3. Disorientation

This phase was uncomfortable. I doubted myself constantly, wondering if I was too old, too late, or too far behind. There were nights I’d question whether I’d made a colossal mistake. But I also learned to sit with that uncertainty and trust that clarity would come, even if I couldn’t see it yet.

4. Letting Go

Letting go meant more than leaving a job. It meant letting go of old habits, expectations, and the idea that my worth was tied to a title. It meant saying goodbye to comfort and stepping into the unknown with faith that I was building something new.

5. Re-engagement

Slowly, the excitement returned. I began studying again, connecting with people in tech, and taking on small projects that reignited my curiosity. I worked multiple jobs to learn as much as I could. It wasn’t easy, but each step reminded me why I started building a career that truly aligns with who I am.

6. Discovery

This was when everything started to click. I realised how my leadership background, curiosity, and people skills translated beautifully into the tech space. I discovered a passion for helping others transform, too.

7. Clarity

After years of uncertainty, I finally saw the bigger picture. I wasn’t just changing careers. I was stepping into purpose. My new direction blended my love for people, technology, and ethical innovation. That clarity gave me the confidence to keep building toward something that felt right.

8. Integration

Now, I’m living it. Working in the tech sector, studying for my Master of Technological Futures, and running NRX Auaha —all tie back to the same vision: to create meaningful impact through technology and help others do the same.
The transformation never truly ends; it just evolves.

If you’re standing at the edge of your own career change, know this:
It’s okay to feel lost before you feel found.
You’re not starting over, you’re starting fresh, with experience, courage, and heart.