Stuck in a stable but stagnant job? You’re not alone.
This is the real-life story of Ravi, an IT professional who spent nearly two decades in the same role and asked himself a question many of us fear: "Is this it?"
In this post, we’ll explore how Ravi transformed his career after 18 years, what actions helped him pivot successfully, and how you can do the same.
The Problem: Stability Without Growth
Ravi had:
→ A good paycheck
→ A stable job in IT support
→ A solid 18 years of experience
But…
→ His ideas were often ignored
→ His responsibilities remained unchanged
→ Promotions passed him by
→ Younger colleagues began leading the very projects he was never considered for
At 44 years old, married with two school-going kids and a home loan, he found himself asking:
"Is this it? Is this all my career is going to be?"
The Turning Point: A Decision to Change
After months of frustration and self-doubt, Ravi made a choice.
He didn’t quit everything.
He didn’t go back to college full-time.
He didn’t sell his house or move cities.
Instead, he started small and stayed consistent.
The 5 Steps That Changed Everything
Here’s what Ravi did to reinvent his career:
1. 📘 Enrolled in a Weekend Course on Cloud and DevOps
He didn’t wait for permission or company-sponsored training. He picked a trending skill in demand Cloud and DevOps, and got started.
2. 💻 Spent 30 Minutes Daily on LinkedIn
He used LinkedIn intentionally, not just for scrolling, but for learning, observing others in DevOps, and building genuine connections.
3. 🚀 Built a GitHub Portfolio
Instead of only learning, he applied his skills by creating and sharing automation scripts and sample projects.
4. 💬 Joined Cloud Communities
He asked questions, yes, even the “dumb” ones. He got feedback, mentorship, and visibility.
5. 🧑🤝🧑 Reached Out to Ex-Colleagues
He reconnected with three ex-colleagues working in DevOps. One of them became a mentor who helped guide him through the transition.
The Outcome: A Career Reboot at 44
After 5 months of dedicated effort:
→ He landed a junior DevOps role
→ Took a 15% pay cut initially
→ In just 6 months, he learned more than in his past 6 years
→ By Year 1, he was leading deployment pipeline automation
→ By Year 2, he got a 40% raise, more than his last 5 years combined
But most importantly…
💡 He felt alive.
💡 He felt valued.
💡 He felt in control again.
Key Takeaway: Reinvention Doesn’t Require a Full Reset
You don’t need to burn bridges or make reckless moves.
What you need is:
→ A real plan
→ Small, daily actions
→ The courage to begin
Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Here’s What You Can Do Today:
✅ Start Small — Enroll in one course, or spend 30 mins learning daily
✅ Be Consistent — Progress comes from habit, not bursts
✅ Ask for Help — Mentors, peers, communities—they make all the difference
✅ Show Your Work — Build a portfolio, share learnings online, be visible
Final Thoughts
Ravi’s story isn’t rare. But it is inspiring.
It’s proof that it’s never too late to pivot, whether you’re 34, 44, or 54.
So if you’re asking yourself “Is this it?”, maybe it’s time to say:
“This is just the beginning.”
❤️ 🙏 🚀
Sounds a practical career path to Reinvention!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, I am glad you found it helpful.
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