Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone: From Sales to IT Project Management

Changing careers can feel overwhelming, especially when it means leaving the comfort of what you know and stepping into the unknown. I am sharing my journey to address those who feel uncertain about their options for a career change. My experience shows that with persistence, adaptability, and the right support, it is possible to make bold transitions and thrive in new roles.

Currently, my role as an IT Grooming Manager (IT Delivery Team), i am managing delivery of IT pipelines, orchestrating strategic integration across systems. But transitioning from a sales-focused career to IT delivery has been both rewarding and challenging. This shift required me to embrace new technical knowledge while leveraging my diverse skills and experiences. My professional path includes:

• Over 16 years of experience across IT, ICT, IoT, and telecommunications (but mostly in Sales area).
• Founding startups like WSignal, a crowdsourcing platform for mobile connectivity, and Ompreng, a ridesharing service focused on reducing urban congestion.
• Academic qualifications in Telecommunication Engineering and an MBA from Malaysia and Germany, earned with scholarships, providing me with a solid mix of technical and business acumen.

Shifting to IT delivery meant stepping into a complex world of technical systems, processes, and integrations. Concepts like BSS, OSS, ERP, APIs, and Data Warehousing demanded continuous learning and close collaboration with technical experts.

One of the most significant challenges was bridging the gap between technical requirements and business objectives while managing diverse teams and high expectations. Learning to navigate these complexities was essential for delivering impactful results.

Thankfully, my experience in ICT/IT sales became a valuable asset. Years of working closely with technical teams during pre-sales processes taught me how to communicate effectively with "geek guys"—the technical experts who make IT systems work. I learned to ask the right questions, understand their language, and translate technical details into business insights. This skill has been crucial in aligning IT delivery with strategic business goals and ensuring smooth collaboration across stakeholders. With my sales and entrepreneurial background enable me to:

1. Build strong collaborations: Effective stakeholder management from sales translates seamlessly into leading cross-functional teams and vendor relationships.
2. Meet ambitious goals: The ability to work under pressure helps in navigating tight timelines and high business expectations.
3. Bridge communication gaps: Translating technical jargon into actionable insights ensures alignment between IT and business priorities.
4. Think innovatively: My startup experience enhances my ability to solve problems creatively during project lifecycle and drive results.

Remembering one of the pivotal moments in my transition to IT delivery came during a requirement-grooming session early in my new role. The discussion was filled with technical jargon and concepts that I didn’t fully understand. Rather than pretending to know, I chose to stay silent during the meeting to observe and absorb as much as I could.

Afterward, I took the initiative to listen to the meeting recording and carefully noted down every term and concept that was unclear. I then reached out to experts to seek their guidance and clarify the context. This approach not only deepened my understanding but also helped me build relationships with technical team members who appreciated my willingness to learn.

This experience taught me the importance of humility, curiosity, and persistence when stepping into unfamiliar territory. It reinforced that asking questions and seeking help are not signs of weakness but steps toward growth.

This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the leaders who believed in me and gave me the opportunities to grow. I am also deeply grateful to the business users, who worked closely with me to groom and refine requirements, and to the technical experts across multiple vendors, whose cooperation and expertise have been invaluable in ensuring project success. Their partnership has been key to overcoming challenges and delivering impactful solutions.

This transition taught me valuable lessons, and i want to share some advice for anyone looking to shift their career:

• Step out of your comfort zone: Growth starts where comfort ends.
• Keep learning: Take the initiative to learn, ask questions, and seek clarity.
• Find the right mentor: A great mentor can guide you through unfamiliar paths.
• Stay humble: Acknowledge what you don’t know and be open to feedback.

Career transitions will require courage, commitment, and a willingness to adapt. Be brave in taking on new challenges and stepping out of your comfort zone. It’s only by embracing these challenges that you’ll unlock new opportunities for growth and success. As the famous quote by T.S. Eliot says, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” Embrace the unknown, push beyond your limits, and shape the career you desire. Let’s grow, improve, and excel—together. Be at your best!