Stuck in a stable but stagnant job? You’re not alone.
nThis is the real-life story of Ravi, an IT professional who spent nearly two decades in the same role and asked himself a question many of us fear: “Is this it?”
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In this post, we’ll explore how Ravi transformed his career after 18 years, what actions helped him pivot successfully, and how you can do the same.
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The Problem: Stability Without Growth
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Ravi had:
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→ A good paycheck
n→ A stable job in IT support
n→ A solid 18 years of experience
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But…
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→ His ideas were often ignored
n→ His responsibilities remained unchanged
n→ Promotions passed him by
n→ Younger colleagues began leading the very projects he was never considered for
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At 44 years old, married with two school-going kids and a home loan, he found himself asking:
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“Is this it? Is this all my career is going to be?”
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The Turning Point: A Decision to Change
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After months of frustration and self-doubt, Ravi made a choice.
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He didn’t quit everything.
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He didn’t go back to college full-time.
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He didn’t sell his house or move cities.
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Instead, he started small and stayed consistent.
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The 5 Steps That Changed Everything
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Here’s what Ravi did to reinvent his career:
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1. 📘 Enrolled in a Weekend Course on Cloud and DevOps
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He didn’t wait for permission or company-sponsored training. He picked a trending skill in demand Cloud and DevOps, and got started.
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2. 💻 Spent 30 Minutes Daily on LinkedIn
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He used LinkedIn intentionally, not just for scrolling, but for learning, observing others in DevOps, and building genuine connections.
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3. 🚀 Built a GitHub Portfolio
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Instead of only learning, he applied his skills by creating and sharing automation scripts and sample projects.
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4. 💬 Joined Cloud Communities
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He asked questions, yes, even the “dumb” ones. He got feedback, mentorship, and visibility.
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5. 🧑🤝🧑 Reached Out to Ex-Colleagues
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He reconnected with three ex-colleagues working in DevOps. One of them became a mentor who helped guide him through the transition.
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The Outcome: A Career Reboot at 44
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After 5 months of dedicated effort:
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→ He landed a junior DevOps role
n→ Took a 15% pay cut initially
n→ In just 6 months, he learned more than in his past 6 years
n→ By Year 1, he was leading deployment pipeline automation
n→ By Year 2, he got a 40% raise, more than his last 5 years combined
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But most importantly…
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💡 He felt alive.
n💡 He felt valued.
n💡 He felt in control again.n
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Key Takeaway: Reinvention Doesn’t Require a Full Reset
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You don’t need to burn bridges or make reckless moves.
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What you need is:
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→ A real plan
n→ Small, daily actions
→ The courage to begin
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Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Here’s What You Can Do Today:
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✅ Start Small — Enroll in one course, or spend 30 mins learning daily
n✅ Be Consistent — Progress comes from habit, not bursts
n✅ Ask for Help — Mentors, peers, communities—they make all the difference
n✅ Show Your Work — Build a portfolio, share learnings online, be visible
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Final Thoughts
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Ravi’s story isn’t rare. But it is inspiring.
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It’s proof that it’s never too late to pivot, whether you’re 34, 44, or 54.
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So if you’re asking yourself “Is this it?”, maybe it’s time to say:
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“This is just the beginning.”
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❤️ 🙏 🚀