They Said He Wasn’t Qualified. Two Years Later, He Was Leading the Team.
(How one pilot turned a ‘no’ into a leadership role.)
Greg had worked since high school to become a commercial airline pilot. It was his dream career: years of training, a major airline job, and a clear path to retirement.
Then everything changed.
Industry-wide disruptions grounded flights and careers alike. Greg found himself furloughed, holding a highly specialized skill set in an industry facing massive uncertainty.
Most of his colleagues waited, hoping the industry would bounce back.
Greg didn't wait; he pivoted.
Instead of seeing himself just as a pilot, Greg stepped back to inventory what else he brought to the table:
Systems thinking, decision-making under pressure, risk assessment, operational insight, and clear, high-stakes communication.
That reflection changed everything.
He landed a role at an aviation software company. He wasn't hired for his flying hours but for his insider knowledge of how crew scheduling worked, and how bad systems could impact everything from operations to safety.
Two years later, Greg was managing the company's regional offices.
His aviation background wasn't a limitation. It was his edge.
The Real Problem: We Put Ourselves in Boxes
I see this all the time with high performers. We collapse our identity into a title:
"I'm a pilot." "I'm an accountant." "I'm a marketer."
Then we try to either wait it out or start completely over.
The conventional advice says "niche down." And for some, that works. But when you're shifting industries, expanding your role, or reinventing your path, that strategy can backfire.
Greg didn't niche down. He translated.
He reframed his background from "technical expertise" to "strategic operator." And that made him invaluable.
How to Translate Your Background into Career Opportunity
Look Beyond Your Title
Ask: What problems do I solve? Not just What job have I had?
Greg wasn't just a pilot but a professional who managed complex systems and critical decisions under pressure.
Identify Cross-Functional Wins
Where have you delivered outcomes in unexpected or overlapping areas?
Greg had firsthand knowledge of crew scheduling systems. This insight no engineer could replicate.
Find Adjacent Applications
Where does your domain expertise make you the obvious hire?
Greg's deep understanding of aviation made him the perfect bridge to aviation tech.
Translate, Don't Apologize
Don't say, "I've never worked in [industry]." Say, "Here's how I've solved similar challenges."
Greg didn't have to fake being a software expert but brought lived experience with the systems they built.
This Works Because the Market Has Changed
Companies are no longer hiring just for pedigree but for potential and insight.
In fact:
63% of successful industry-switchers credit their transferable skills, not their niche, as the reason they got hired. Roles that require cross-functional thinking are growing 2x faster than narrow technical roles.
Real Stories. Real Translation.
Melissa led professional development at a financial services firm. She didn't try to "become tech." She simply reframed her strengths: learning design, stakeholder management, and execution. Today? She's doing the same work inside a tech company with double the pay.
My story? I started as a public auditor. Then I transitioned into accounting software pre-sales not because I had a sales background, but because I understood accounting from the inside. That shift kicked off a 25-year tech career from B2B ecommerce to enterprise collaboration. And it all started with one reframe:
"I'm not just an accountant but someone who understands how accounting works in practice."
What About You?
If you're navigating change, ask yourself:
What capabilities do I bring, not just credentials? What results have I delivered across roles? Where does my experience give me a unique lens? How can I explain my value in a way that translates, not apologizes?
You don't need to start from scratch. You just need to show up with the right positioning.
Turn Your Background Into Your Edge
Feeling stuck between where you've been and where you're going?
The Find Your Edge Kit helps you clarify your transferable strengths and turn them into a positioning advantage without starting over.
Want More Personalized Support?
If you’re ready to go deeper and work through your specific situation with expert guidance, I offer 1:1 coaching for high-achieving professionals navigating career transitions.
