I spent over a decade as a process engineer. I wore my safety shoes and hard hat with pride, going for site inspections and watching the systems I designed come to life. It always felt rewarding to know that something I worked on ended up as real products people use every day.

So why did I leave?

It wasn’t because of AI. Process engineering is still one of those roles that won’t be easily replaced anytime soon. It wasn’t about my job becoming irrelevant—it was more of a personal shift, something that changed inside of me.

When Life Changes Your Perspective

Becoming a mom changed the way I looked at everything. The safety shoes I used to walk confidently in started to feel too heavy. Site visits that once felt exciting started to feel like punishments, simply because they took me away from my daughter. I didn’t stop liking my job—but I felt stretched too thin, and honestly, I was burned out.

My passion dimmed, but I never regretted the path I’d chosen. I had lots of deep talks with my husband—trying to figure out what happened, if it was just a phase, or if I really needed to make a change. Eventually, I decided to quit. I chose to focus on my family for a while.

But I knew I still needed something for myself too.

Finding a New Direction

I’ve never been the type to just sit still. Yes, taking care of a family is already a lot, but I also wanted to keep my mind busy. I started exploring what else I could do that still aligned with what I loved—systems, problem solving, improving processes—but with more flexibility.

That’s how I found data.

At first, it didn’t seem like the most obvious next step. But the more I learned, the more I saw the connection. I realized I could still be close to the world of industrial processes—just working from a different angle. I could still use my analytical skills, but this time, I could do it from home, or anywhere really.

The Tough Part—Starting Over

I won’t lie—it wasn’t easy. I made the decision to pivot just before we moved to Spain. Once my family settled in, I updated my LinkedIn and started applying. But nothing happened for a while. I felt like I was starting over—35 years old, no portfolio, no tech network.

Still, I kept going. I didn’t try to blend in or pretend I was something I wasn’t. Instead, I focused on what I could bring to the table. My years of engineering experience weren’t a weakness—they were something valuable. I just had to make people see that.

Eventually, things started to change. I got one interview, then another. And finally, an offer.

Day One

Yesterday was my first day as a data engineer.

It feels new, but also familiar. I’m still solving problems, still learning, still using the part of my brain that loves structure and logic. It’s just in a different context now.

If there’s one thing I’ve taken from this journey, it’s that change is hard, but it’s possible. We’re allowed to grow and shift direction. Our skills don’t disappear—they just find new ways to be useful.

And for me, learning has always been the one thing I can rely on.

Learning is my superpower.