Switching careers isn’t simple . It typically begins as a quiet thought, however turning it into actuality takes braveness.
At Railsware, we consider that being a part of a mature, supportive workforce can assist you problem your progress limits and make daring strikes. That’s the concept behind our Profession Swap sequence — to share first-hand tales of adjusting roles, the considering behind these choices, and sensible takeaways.
Within the earlier article, our Expertise & Profession Lead Daryna Kuzmyk shared how she moved from Head of Gross sales to a junior recruiter.
This time, Piotr Małek walks us by means of his journey from writing technical content material to working as an Analytics Engineer — a shift that concerned fixed questioning, studying, and adapting to alter.
Seize a espresso, tea or smoothie, and let’s benefit from the story:
Math geek, founding father of journey company and a couple of profession switches
Let me share a little bit of my story, simply to present some context behind my choices.
Know-how has all the time been a part of my world. My dad was a programmer — a reasonably large deal again within the ’80s — and by the ’90s, we had a pc at house. That was uncommon on the time and turned our place into the unofficial neighbourhood museum:)
In highschool, we have been imagined to have programming lessons. And technically, we did. However because of some slightly laid-back academics, we largely performed Quake 3 as a substitute. So I started studying algorithms and fundamental C++ by myself.
I genuinely loved it, and math too. I used to be a complete math geek all through elementary and highschool, normally close to the highest of the category. Nonetheless, over time, I began to float away from each.
We have been diving into more and more complicated math issues, however I struggled to attach them to any profession paths that truly excited me. My pursuits have been beginning to pull me in one other route.
Ultimately, I switched gears and pursued a level in tourism. Later, I launched my very own journey company — organising journeys, reserving flights, and serving to shoppers uncover new locations. It gave me the flexibleness I needed and let me do one thing I genuinely cherished (and nonetheless do).
Nonetheless, constructing a secure workforce was more durable than I anticipated. With no technical co-founder or the correct experience, the challenge finally ran out of steam.
On the identical time, I began noticing a sample in my tourism jobs: the work typically felt repetitive, with few clear alternatives for progress or long-term improvement. And whereas my curiosity about know-how and innovation stored rising, that world felt far faraway from the one I used to be in.
That hole pushed me to discover the startup and product house — environments that supplied precisely what I used to be in search of: fixed studying, a quick tempo, and room for creativity. I took a step again to mirror on what I used to be good at and the place I might actually make an affect. That led me to technical content material writing — one thing I each loved and excelled at.
Starvation video games
For a couple of years, I used to be rising as a content material specialist in startups. However the true acceleration began once I joined the Railsware workforce — a transfer that finally led to my subsequent pivot.
I got here on board as a technical content material author, engaged on merchandise like Coupler.io and Mailtrap. What actually hooked me wasn’t simply the writing — it was the technical depth behind it. Each article, touchdown web page, or piece of documentation was an opportunity to dive into one thing unfamiliar. I cherished unpacking complicated matters and making them comprehensible — each for myself and for others.
But, after a couple of years (and tons of of articles), the training curve began to degree out.
As a result of the viewers for my content material was largely entrepreneurs, I needed to hold issues pretty high-level, avoiding deep technical dives. That meant I wasn’t gaining a lot past what I already knew. Over time, the matters grew to become repetitive, and I started to really feel that my progress had stalled.
To maintain growing — and to reignite my authentic pleasure for tech and innovation — I knew I wanted hands-on technical expertise.
So I took issues into my very own arms. I started exploring information, a subject I’d lengthy been interested by and had already written quite a bit on. With a while on my aspect, I began studying Python, SQL, and the basics of information evaluation.
Then life threw me a good looking curveball: my daughter was born. All of the sudden, these imagined lengthy night research periods become 30-minute sprints, a few times every week, squeezed between every thing else, on week.
It wasn’t simple. What I deliberate as a few-month course stretched into practically two years. Nonetheless, I stored going — and I obtained there.
Ultimately, I approached our product director to assessment my particular person improvement plan. I needed extra — a brand new problem aligned with my rising talent set. He steered I attempt hands-on work: information extraction, dashboards, inside reporting.
I jumped on the alternative, and it was precisely what I wanted.
As I obtained concerned in actual initiatives, labored with precise information, and delivered insights that mattered, I step by step gained the boldness and abilities to tackle extra accountability. I started taking possession of all types of initiatives—one thing I might have solely dreamt of a 12 months or two again.
Classes realized
From my story, you possibly can discover that questioning your objectives and motivations is essential. It’s not all the time simple, however I’ve realized a couple of classes alongside the way in which that may assist when dealing with comparable choices:
- Don’t waste time researching, begin studying
If you’re getting into a brand new subject, it’s tempting to spend weeks evaluating programs, evaluations, and platforms. Nonetheless, the reality is that the majority newbie assets cowl comparable materials. The time you spend researching could possibly be higher utilized in truly studying.
Tip: I began with Dataquest and located it nice for learners, particularly for those who favor structured, text-based studying. If you happen to like video content material, DataCamp may be extra your model. I additionally tried Google’s information analytics course — the one which guarantees job gives after certification. Two years later, I’m nonetheless ready 🙂 So take course advertising and marketing with a grain of salt. Use them to construct the fundamentals — then transfer to step two.
- Give attention to sensible expertise
When you’ve reached a good degree, the easiest way to develop is by doing sensible initiatives: writing easy scripts, analysing datasets from Kaggle, or automating duties in your use.
Doing actual initiatives issues much more for those who can’t but swap roles inside your organization. It helps construct your confidence, increase your portfolio, and show your abilities to future employers. And for those who get the prospect, contribute to NGOs or open-source initiatives. That form of affect will not be solely rewarding but additionally a useful expertise.
- Search steering from folks already working in roles you aspire to
Their insights can prevent time, enable you focus your efforts, and provide you with a clearer sense of route. And by “assist,” I don’t simply imply a fast chat — I imply, ask them to:
– Sharing helpful supplies and programs
– Reviewing your work
– Providing mentorship and help as you develop
At first, I knew I needed to be concerned in information, however I didn’t have a transparent plan for learn how to strategy it. But, our Head of Knowledge, Elvira, guided me alongside the way in which — she steered a couple of potential paths and helped me work out what truly pursuits me. She additionally identified which abilities could be most related for the position, so I began specializing in these, probably saving many hours.
- Be prepared to surrender skilled confidence
One of many hardest shifts was letting go of the skilled confidence I’d inbuilt my earlier position.
Ranging from scratch felt uncomfortable — typically it nonetheless does. There are days I believe I must be transferring sooner or know extra, even when the suggestions is optimistic.
However I’ve realized to simply accept being a newbie once more. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive workforce that understands the place I’m within the journey. Common syncs with teammates assist me monitor progress, spot progress areas, and keep motivated.
Don’t overthink – act
The hot button is to start out. Determine what you wish to obtain and learn how to get there by means of studying, networking or analysis. After which take constant, manageable steps. It’s regular to come across challenges or uncertainties, however progress comes from regular motion.
Give attention to sensible steps slightly than overthinking, encompass your self with the correct folks, and you’ll step by step transfer in direction of your purpose.
Piotr Małek is a self-taught analytics engineer, analyst, and likewise a technical content material author with a robust give attention to working with information and constructing automations. His work combines technical know-how with the flexibility to clarify complicated concepts merely.
