I switched careers after five years: here's what worked

Five years into a stable banking job, I knew I wanted to design products instead of processing them. It took me 14 months to make the switch. This is what actually helped.

I started with my transferable skills

Operations taught me how customers get stuck. That became the story of my portfolio: I fix the frustrating parts of financial products.

I learned in public

I posted what I was learning every week on LinkedIn. Those posts started conversations with designers who later referred me.

I built three real projects

Not courses: projects. I redesigned a savings app flow, volunteered for an NGO website and ran a small usability study with friends.

I kept my job until I had an offer

Switching careers is stressful enough without money worries. Evenings and weekends were hard, but they gave me room to choose the right first role.

If you're thinking about a change, start small this week. One project, one conversation, one post.