The Challenge
After 20 years in financial services, James felt deeply unfulfilled and increasingly drawn to the technology sector. At 45, he feared it was too late to make the leap — that he lacked the technical credentials, the network, and the credibility to be taken seriously in a completely different industry. Age-related self-doubt was holding him back from pursuing a change he knew he needed.
The Coaching Journey
James worked with his coach to reframe his finance background as a strategic advantage in tech — not a liability. They mapped transferable skills, identified target companies where his experience in financial operations was genuinely valued, and built a deliberate outreach and networking strategy. His coach also helped him manage the emotional uncertainty that came with leaving behind a well-established career identity.
The Outcome
Within nine months, James secured a Head of FinTech Partnerships role at a fast-growing technology company — at a higher salary than his previous position. He now leads a team bridging finance and product, a role that draws directly on his two decades of industry knowledge while placing him squarely in the world he wanted to enter. He describes the pivot as the best professional decision of his life.