It’s Never Too Late to Change Paths
Embracing Flexibility and Finding Fulfillment at Any Stage of Life
If you had told me, in the midst of all my misery while studying biology, that I’d one day be working at AWS as a tech lead, I would have thought you were completely bonkers. The idea would have seemed so far-fetched that I probably wouldn’t have believed it for a second. Heck, my only coding experience back then was years earlier, fumbling through YouTube tutorials on how to edit HTML (I know, I know—HTML isn’t real programming, but hold off on the judgment for just a sec) for a Tumblr site—and I absolutely hated it! Yet, here I am, miles away from where I once thought my life was headed, proving that the path we imagine for ourselves isn’t always the one we end up walking—and that’s okay.
Way back when I was a biology student, I thought my future was set. The plan was clear: study hard, go to med school, and become a doctor. But as the semesters rolled on, I found myself frustrated, unfulfilled, and, frankly, miserable. The excitement I once imagined at the prospect of helping others through medicine had faded, replaced by a dull dread each time I opened my textbooks. The unspoken pressure from family and friends also did not help. I realized that this path wasn’t for me, but the idea of switching careers felt daunting, almost impossible. After all, I’d invested so much time and effort already.
But that feeling—that nagging thought that I could be doing something else, something that truly ignited my passion—never left me. It took courage, but I eventually made the decision to switch paths. While I completely understand that switching majors as a student is nowhere near as serious or challenging as a parent making a life-altering decision with kids and responsibilities, I believe the same lessons can be applied. I fully acknowledge that my experience doesn’t come close to the complexities faced by those with greater responsibilities, but the underlying principles of flexibility and courage in the face of uncertainty still hold true. When I finally decided to step away from biology, I didn’t jump straight into another field. Instead, I gave myself the freedom to explore. I enrolled in a plethora of different courses in a single semester, spanning fields from psychology to computer science, from literature to economics. I was searching for that spark, that thing that would make me excited to get up in the morning.
The transition wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, where the fear of the unknown crept in. Had I made a mistake? Was I ever going to pass this Calculus course? Was I simply avoiding the hard work needed to succeed? While I was seeking advice from my advisor, they recommended a book called Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. In it, I came across the concept of the sunk cost fallacy. The book explained, the commitment heuristic as the tendency to continue an endeavor despite the current costs outweighing the benefits. This insight resonated deeply with me. Clinging to a career or major simply because of past efforts can be a trap, preventing you from pursuing something that might be a much better fit.
Understanding this principle helped me move forward without guilt. I realized that it was okay to let go of what wasn’t working, to cut my losses and focus on finding something that truly resonated with me. Eventually, my curiosity and love for problem-solving led me to software engineering. The combination of creativity and logic in coding was something I hadn’t experienced in biology, and it felt like I had finally found my niche.
But even now, I continue to question where I am and what I want to do. A few years ago, I was convinced to try a six-month stint as a manager, thinking it might be the next step in my career. But I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. The managerial role lacked the hands-on problem-solving that I loved about coding, and I found myself longing to return to the trenches of software development.
This experience taught me something crucial: it’s okay to keep questioning your path. Flexibility in your mindset is key to finding what you want to do in life. It’s about being like water, flowing and adapting to new circumstances rather than rigidly sticking to a predetermined plan. Even though I’ve settled into software engineering, I know that my journey isn’t necessarily over. I might switch paths again someday—and that’s perfectly fine.
When deciding what to do next, there are a few principles that can help guide you:
Listen to Your Gut: Your instincts often know when something isn’t right. If you’re feeling consistently unhappy or unfulfilled, it might be time to consider a change.
Gather Data: Just like in software development, where data drives decisions, collect information about what excites you. Take different courses, try new hobbies, or talk to people in various fields to see what sparks your interest.
Steer Clear of the Sunk Cost Trap: Don’t let past investments of time, money, or effort dictate your future. If something isn’t working, it’s okay to let go and move on to something better.
Embrace Flexibility: Life is not a straight path. It’s okay to pivot, to explore new directions, and to change your mind. What matters is finding what makes you happy and fulfilled.
Be Patient: Finding your true passion or the right career isn’t always immediate. It can take time, and that’s perfectly normal. Trust the process and allow yourself the grace to experiment and explore.
What matters is the willingness to listen to that inner voice, the one that nudges you to explore, to grow, and to change. In a world that often celebrates early success, it’s easy to feel like you’ve missed your chance if you haven’t figured it all out by 30, 40, or even 50. But that’s not true. It’s never too late to shift your career, to explore new interests, or to follow a passion that you didn’t even know you had.
So if you’re feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or simply curious about what else is out there, give yourself the permission to explore. Life isn’t about sticking to one path; it’s about finding the one that’s right for you, even if it takes a few tries to get there. And remember, every experience, whether it feels like a success or a failure, is a step toward discovering where you truly belong.