From Tech to Writing (Plus Post-shift Update) |

What work were you doing previously?

I worked as a data scientist and web developer, for small businesses and non-profits.

What are you doing now?

I’m a content writer, writing blog posts for different businesses. 

I also run a blog named Dreams in Script, where I publish advice based on my career change experiences.

Why did you change?

I’ve been writing short stories and blog posts since I was 16. 

However, I had external pressure to build a career in IT and ended up in an Engineering University, and went on to work in tech. 

I never enjoyed scrubbing large code bases and building machine learning pipelines. I was always exhausted by the end of the day.

When was the moment you decided to make the change?

Last year, I landed a content writing job while I was working hard to land a full-time web development position. 

I noticed my exhaustion and frustration dissipating as soon as I began writing content for the company.

A month later, I went on a long trip with the intention of resuming my search for a web development position upon my return. 

However, the exhaustion and constant tiredness returned as soon as I resumed coding.

How did you choose your new career?

The unexpected writing job led me to choose my new career. 

My colleagues appreciated my work, and I began receiving positive feedback from company customers for my writing as well.

Are you happy with the change?

I’ve never been happier. 

My current career not only allows me the freedom to pursue my childhood dream of owning a blog, but has also improved my lifestyle.

What don’t you miss?

I don’t miss the tiredness, the oversaturated job market, a burning sensation in my eyes, and asking AI to generate code snippets for me.

How did you go about making the shift?

I hesitated to make the change because I was worried about losing my credibility as a developer. 

After returning from the trip, I was unemployed for a month, which made my future anxiety even worse. However, I was lucky again to unexpectedly receive an offer for a content writer role.

Although it wasn’t a permanent position, my content soon began to rank well. I used it as an opportunity to tell my LinkedIn network about my expertise in a new career, attaching photos of my top-ranking content. 

Soon I started planning my blog which kept me super excited. Days went by quickly as I wrote content for others during the day and built my blog in the evening. 

Fast forward to today, I write content for multiple clients and working on my blog makes me the happiest.

How did you develop (or transfer) the skills you needed for your new role?

I already had a gist for writing. 

However, I needed to learn practical SEO and writing best practices. To fill this gap, I took a few content writing courses online and learned SEO while I worked for a marketing agency.

How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible?

I had almost zero bank balance before I transitioned into writing.

Everything I have today is what I earned through writing over the past year. The journey was tough, but I had family support which helped with finances during the shift.

What was the most difficult thing about changing?

The most difficult thing was letting go of the uncountable efforts I put into my IT career. 

Additionally, I was afraid to rebrand myself online because I feared others’ opinions about my career choices. 

What help did you get?

I had a supportive family, which allowed me to change careers without worrying about my survival. 

I used my LinkedIn network to promote my newly acquired skills and blog.

What have you learnt in the process?

A career in IT isn’t the only choice. 

My health matters the most.

And an updated LinkedIn profile works wonders!

What do you wish you’d done differently?

I wish I hadn’t put much effort into my previous career, and instead pursued writing as a career from the beginning.

What would you advise others to do in the same situation?

I know that career change isn’t easy and can be mentally draining. 

So, the most important advice I can give is to take care of yourself and know that everything will make sense one day.

We caught up with Tooba recently to see how her shift was working out, a year on. Here’s what she’s been up to, and the biggest lessons she’s learned.

What’s changed for you in your career since we first published your story?

I started my career in content writing and have since grown into a content strategist and SEO specialist. 

I’ve helped global startups and companies boost their organic traffic and social media engagement by up to 400%. Currently, I work as a marketing team lead and have launched my own marketing agency focused on small businesses.

How do you feel about your work now?

I feel fulfilled. 

My work allows me to think creatively, whether I’m brainstorming ideas or writing copy for clients. In my previous career, I was pushing myself too hard to fit into the wrong mould. 

Life feels a lot better now.

What challenges have you come up against since making your shift, and how exactly have you dealt with them?

It took time and effort to rebrand myself as a marketing professional. 

People knew me as a developer with a tech background, so they didn’t expect creative deliverables from me. 

Geography also played a part. Opportunities are limited in my home country, so I had to network globally to find better ones.

How is the financial side of things panning out, and is this what you’d expected?

I wasn’t earning a penny in tech, but now I’m doing much better than many of my peers. 

While I haven’t yet reached my income goals, this is just the beginning.

What have you learned, since making your shift?

I used to think I had to stick to the degree I graduated with. 

I also let others influence my career decisions, which caused setbacks. I’ve now learned to trust myself. 

I’ve also realized how important personal branding is in today’s world to grow professionally.

To find out more about Tooba’s work, visit https://fiercefirefly.com

What lessons could you take from Tooba’s story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.