From Business to EdTech: Navigating a Purpose-Driven Career Change

July 6, 2025 - For over two decades, I thrived in the world of business—navigating contracts, leading teams, and advancing organizational goals. I found success, stability, and recognition in that space. Yet, despite those outward achievements, I began to sense a quiet shift within me. There was a growing dissonance between the work I was doing and the impact I truly wanted to make in the world. I wanted more than to manage projects—I wanted to design learning experiences that could change lives.

That realization marked the beginning of a deeply personal and transformative journey. I found myself drawn to the field of educational technology, where innovation, pedagogy, and purpose intersect. However, the transition into this new career has not been fast or easy. Like many professionals who pursue a pivot career, I have faced a range of emotional and practical challenges—uncertainty, self-doubt, financial risk, and a redefinition of identity.

The research backs this up. In a recent qualitative study, Darshan and Zafar (2025) explored what motivates people to change careers. Their findings confirm what I have experienced: personal values like fulfillment, balance, and purpose are central drivers, but societal pressures—from cultural expectations to financial constraints—also weigh heavily. I have lived this duality. My heart is fully aligned with the direction I am moving toward, but my mind has often questioned whether I am leaving the business world at the right time. After building a 20+ year career, am I risking too much to start again?

I found clarity and comfort from scholars such as Diedra Wrighting (2024), who so eloquently captured the emotional gravity of career change. Wrighting (2024) described that “disenfranchised grief” can come from leaving behind a professional identity that once defined you. Her concept of a “career GPS”—a process of realignment through mentorship, transferable skills, and emotional truth—deeply resonated with me. Her journey reminded me that growth often means letting go and that moving in a new direction does not mean failure; it means evolution.

Alongside these internal shifts, I am increasingly aware of how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are reshaping both education and the workforce. Bankins et al. (2024) highlight how AI is not only transforming organizations but fundamentally changing how individuals chart and manage their careers. From AI-powered career guidance tools to intelligent skill-matching systems, technology is redefining the competencies we need—and how we apply them. My pursuit to shift to educational technology has allowed me to not only engage with these tools but also to contribute as a volunteer designer, strategist, advocate, and researcher, helping others find their way through career transitions and in the field.

Today, I am not just someone stepping away from business. I am a leader who has grown and evolved with intention. My background in business will always be part of me—it has shaped my ability to think strategically, solve complex problems, and lead teams through uncertainty. These strengths are not only transferable; they are deeply meaningful in the realm of educational technology, where the stakes include access, equity, and innovation in how people learn and grow.

What I need now is a break—an opportunity. A chance to fully step into this new field and contribute in ways that align with my purpose and potential.  So, what is the secret sauce? It is this: everything I have done until now has prepared me for what’s next. I am not starting over; I am stepping forward. With clarity, with confidence, and with a deep belief in the value I bring.

My message is simple: I do not have to abandon who I was to become who I am meant to be. A career transition is not a detour—it is a redesign. I feel the pull to do something different because I know I am ready. I already have the experience, the insight, and the resilience to leap. All I need is the opportunity—and the courage—to say yes to what is ahead.

In conclusion, I look forward to continuing this next chapter of my professional journey as a scholar and practitioner in educational technology. The work ahead excites me, and I’m ready to begin. Contact me with any leads.

References:

Bankins, S., Jooss, S., Restubog, S. L. D., Marrone, M., Ocampo, A. C., & Shoss, M. (2024). Navigating career stages in the age of artificial intelligence: A systematic interdisciplinary review and agenda for future research. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 153, 104011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2024.104011

Darshan, S., & Zafar, S. A. (2025). Career Change: The Role of Society and Personal Choice. International Journal of Trends and Innovations in Business & Social Sciences, 3(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15221404

Wrighting, D. M. (2024). Getting from Here to There: Navigating Career Crossroads as a Black Woman Scientist. In Higher Education Careers Beyond the Professoriate (pp. 49–65). Purdue University Press.