From Sales to Strategy: What My Career Path Taught Me About Versatility

Like most people, my career path hasn’t been linear. It’s zigzagged. It’s pivoted. It’s taught me more than any perfect ladder ever could. And at every turn, I’ve discovered how versatile experience creates resilient leadership.

From Solar Sales to Strategic Analysis

At Solgen Power, I started in sales—on the phones, in the data, pushing to meet quotas. It didn’t take long for me to spot inefficiencies, build better tracking systems, and start improving how we measured performance. That shift into data strategy was less about chasing a title and more about leaning into where I added the most value. And I loved it.

From a career in Government Comms to Agency Operations

At The Dicio Group, I found myself helping counties manage public information during a global crisis. It was high-stakes, emotionally charged, and mission-critical. That work taught me to lead with clarity and calm, even under pressure.

Later at Clutch Creative Marketing, I helped rebuild an agency from the inside out—restructuring teams, improving systems, training new creatives, and creating tools that helped us work smarter. My role blended strategy, leadership, and operations—none of which were on the same track I started with.

Agility: The Underrated Superpower

Versatility isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. The ability to pivot, learn fast, and lead across disciplines has helped me not only stay relevant but stay energized. Every new role I’ve taken on has given me a broader toolkit and a deeper empathy for the people I work with.

Leadership today isn’t about having a rigid plan. It’s about knowing how to move through change with intention and impact.

For Anyone in the Middle of a Pivot

If you’re questioning your path or finding yourself pulled in a new direction—good. It means you’re growing. The most valuable leaders I’ve met aren’t the ones with perfect résumés. They’re the ones who’ve navigated uncertainty and used it to build insight.

Your pivots are your power.

Looking for more validation that winding paths are the new normal? Fast Company has you covered.