# Looking back on my career so far April 6, 2025 ## A note to the reader This post is a personal reflection on my career, insights, and lessons learned. It's not written to provide answers or advice but to document my experiences for myself and anyone curious about the path I've taken. It'll be expanded on as time goes by. ## Core principles on my path - Treat people with kindness and value relationships deeply. - Stand firm on your non-negotiables; compromise where you must, but never at the expense of your core values. - Prioritize ruthlessly. Protect what matters most by being willing to let go of what doesn't. **"Thank you" and "I'm sorry"** These simple phrases are foundational. As responsibilities grow and stress mounts, it's easy to forget them but they remain essential for maintaining humility and connection. **Messages that guided me** From mentors, colleagues, and moments of clarity: - Stay adaptable. - Build systems that matter. - Leaves things better than you found them. ## Entering the workforce **The unexpected detour** At the age when most of my peers were transitioning from senior school to college, I was diagnosed with multiple spontaneous pneumothoraxes (collapsed lungs) which occurred without warning. The condition alone can be self-healing, however I had this in both lungs, and multiple times over a short period of time which eventually lead to major surgery to repair both lungs simultaneously. The experience was physically taxing, emotionally draining, and profoundly isolating. **A disconnected yet transformative time** The months surrounding these issues felt paradoxical; both distant and immediate, slow yet overwhelming. On one hand, the days blurred together in a haze of hospital visits, recovery routines, and physical limitations. On the other hand, every moment seemed heightened by the uncertainty of what lay ahead. The disconnect from the typical milestones of education like starting college was stark. While others were moving forward with structured plans, I was unsure of how or when I'd rejoin the rhythm of life. **Straight into the workforce** This inadvertently shaped my career trajectory. With college no longer a viable option at the time, I entered the workforce directly. It wasn't a deliberate choice but rather a necessity. I felt like it was a way to regain control and purpose after months of feeling adrift. The transition was daunting but also empowering as it forced me to adapt quickly and find meaning in forging my own path outside of traditional frameworks. **Lessons learnt** Looking back, this chapter of my life taught me resilience in its rawest form. It instilled a deep appreciation for health and time, resources that feel seemingly infinite until they aren't. More importantly, it shaped my approach to challenges, to face them head-on, adapt when plans fall apart, and find growth even in the most unexpected detours. **Starting as a Technical Analyst** My entry into the workforce was shaped by necessity rather than design. Without formal higher education, I began as a technical analyst which demanded both technical aptitude and the ability to learn quickly on the job. This experience laid the foundation for my career, teaching me how to navigate complex systems and solve problems under pressure. My first workplace was a national hospital which came with some of it's own challenges, but that's another post. **Expanding responsibilities** I chose to move to a new role in a much smaller company where over time my responsibilities grew and I transitioned into senior technical roles. These positions required not only technical expertise but also strategic thinking and leadership. I learned to bridge the gap between technical execution and business needs, ensuring that solutions were both effective and aligned with organizational goals. **Exploring diverse domains** One of the defining aspects of my career has been its diversity. I've works across multiple roles and applying myself wherever possible. This included infrastructure, networking, software engineering, security, finops, and research. Each role added a new dimension to my expertise: - In some positions I focused on optimizing systems and workflows. - In others, I contributed to innovation through research and development. This variety has kept me adaptable and allowed me to see connections between seemingly unrelated fields. **A generalist approach** Rather than specializing narrowly in one domains, I embraced generalism to deliberate a strategy to build a broad skill set that spans analysis, strategy creation, systems design, and advanced problem-solving. This approach has enabled me to: - Solve interdisciplinary challenges. - Collaborate effectively with diverse teams. - Drive initiatives that require both technical depth and strategic oversight. **Stepping into leadership** As my career progressed, I took on a more consulting-focused role that demanded a higher level of autonomy and influence. These positions allowed me to shape projects from inception to execution, working closely with stakeholders and internal management to deliver impactful results. The shift from execution-focused roles to strategic ones marked a significant milestone in my career. **Balancing depth with breadth** Throughout my career I've sought balance, deepening expertise in certain areas while maintaining the flexibility to pivot when opportunities arise. This mindset has been instrumental in navigating changes in technology, industry trends, and organizational dynamics. **Reflections on growth** Looking back on my trajectory so far, one theme stands out, adaptability. Each stage of my career has challenged me in new ways whether it was learning on the fly as a technical analyst or driving strategic initiatives as a consultant. These experiences have shaped not just my professional capabilities but also my perspective on what it means to grow, contribute, and lead. ## Where next As I reflect on my career so far, one question looms large, what's next? And the truth is I don't have a clear answer. It's a strange and unsettling position to be in. I'm more capable than ever yet directionless. For much of my career, I’ve been guided by necessity, curiosity, or opportunity. But now, with more experience under my belt and a broader skill set, the possibilities feel both exciting and overwhelming. The lack of a defined goal feels like standing at a crossroads with no signposts, a mix of freedom and paralysis. Instead of asking "What do I want to do?", I'm trying to focus on "What impact do I want to have?". This shift reframes the uncertainty as an opportunity to explore. - Do I want to deepen my expertise in a specific domain or continue building as a generalist? - What kinds of problems excite me most—and how can I align my career with solving them? I saw this post on X that caught my interest, and reiterated that chasing impact is where I'll find my journey continue. ![[00408bfd6c28eb6dbee6a566ae8c89bff3417807555123c2c0346e0d95c6afe4314125b686289973d592646eb98d0fb6549d510d32d6bd731bdb4c42d7c5bbcc.png]] > <https://x.com/teortaxesTex/status/1897379631927583159>