Managing your career like it's your job

Some thoughts on what I've learned over the years

I recently announced on Instagram that I’m leaving my company for a new role. This transition is bittersweet, but I am deeply grateful for my time at Microsoft. Over the years, the company supported me through IVF, two pregnancies, two maternity leaves, and an unprecedented global pandemic. I worked on projects that made history—both within the company and in the world. Some of those experiences I can share; others remain proprietary. But what matters most is that I take those learnings with me as I continue building my marketing career.

I will always appreciate the people, the products, and the leadership at Microsoft.

But this post isn’t about leaving. It’s about what I’ve learned along the way.

I am a woman who has devoured career advice, invested in therapy, taken career coaching classes, hired multiple career coaches, and met one-on-one with hundreds of colleagues and senior leaders over the years.

All of this for one goal: to understand how to manage my career.

And now, I want to share what I’ve learned. Because while not everything that worked for me will work for everyone, knowing your options is powerful.

Let’s get into it.