The Pivot Point.
Finding Your Way Back to Purpose...
Assalaamu’alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh 🌿
Hi there, Techlingggssss!!
It is a truth many of us find ourselves confronting, when we first envisioned working in tech, we were promised freedom.
We imagined a flexible lifestyle, creative problem-solving, substantial salaries, and work that gave our lives a deep sense of meaning. But somewhere between that bright dream and the day-to-day reality, a subtle yet profound shift occurred.
Suddenly, the role you fought so hard to secure no longer ignites that passion. Your calendar is now a relentless schedule of meetings. Deadlines accumulate more rapidly than your unread emails. And you find yourself spending your evenings perusing LinkedIn, wondering if there is something- anything-that might feel better than this.
And yet… you hesitate.
Because this role was supposed to be the one. This was supposed to be the destination that made everything click. And now, you find yourself suspended in a difficult choice between:
The security of staying where you are…
And the promise of something unknown.
This is the very moment where a quiet doubt begins to set in:
“Perhaps I am not cut out for this.”
“Perhaps I made a grave error in my choice of path.”
“Perhaps I have failed.”
The skills we've spent years building are now pulling us in a new, unexpected direction. This is not a sign of failure. It is, in fact, a Pivot Point.
A pivot is a conscious, intentional re-routing of your life and your career. It's a strategic shift, a re-alignment of purpose, and an act of courage.
You have evolved.
And that is a perfectly natural and acceptable part of the journey. Sometimes, the dream you commenced with was never meant to be the final destination. It was simply the vessel Allah used to bring you to this very point, so that He could reveal to you a new and better way forward.
This is your Pivot Point. It feels intimidating, but it is also an invitation, to re-align, to rediscover yourself, and to make a new choice, imbued with more wisdom than you had before.
“And it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and you love a thing while it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you do not know.” (Qur’an 2:216)
If I may ask…
What was your original motivation for choosing your current tech path?
When you contemplate your future, do you see yourself truly thriving, or merely surviving?
If fear were not a factor, what would you truly wish to attempt next?
TRUST IN YOUR FAITH.
It bears consideration that society has conditioned us to believe success is linear.
Step 1 → Secure the degree.
Step 2 → Land the job.
Step 3 → Work diligently, ascend the ranks, and enjoy a comfortable retirement.
But in reality, life is far more complex. Especially in the realm of technology.
New frameworks are introduced each quarter. Companies restructure overnight. Job roles evolve. Industries may disappear. And artificial intelligence continues to rewrite the rules whilst you are still learning the last ones.
And then there is you.
Your values shift. Your interests evolve. Your priorities change.
This is where the discomfort sets in, because what once fit perfectly no longer does. You have outgrown your old dream, but you have not yet stepped into the new one.
For the Muslim professional, this is not merely a change of occupation. It is a profound act of realigning one’s Dunya with their akhirah. Every decision you make about your career is also a decision about the trajectory of your soul.
And here is the beauty of our faith: we are not left to figure this out in solitude. We possess guidance. We have prayer. We have the certainty of tawakkul, placing our full trust in Allah’s plan whilst putting forth our most sincere effort.
“And whosoever fears Allah — He will make for him a way out. And He will provide for him from where he does not expect.” (Qur’an 65:2–3)
A pivot is not an accident. It is, in its essence, written. But it is also a test of our agency: will you be paralyzed by fear, or will you take the next right step, entrusting Allah with the remainder of the journey?
If I may ask…
Have you taken a moment to ask Allah if this path still serves your ultimate purpose?
Have you performed Istikhara regarding your next career step?
Does your current role draw you closer to Him, or does it pull you further away?
BUILDING AGAIN.
When you find yourself at a crossroads, the most daunting part is simply knowing where to commence.
The good news, however, is that you do not require a ten-year plan. You do not even require a two-year plan. You simply require your next small, intentional step.
Here is a practical framework to guide you forward:
1. Rediscover Your Why.
Before you rush into change, take a moment to stop. Breathe. Reflect. Ask yourself:
Why did I choose this path in the first place?
What elements of it do I still enjoy?
What feels profoundly misaligned right now?
This is where journaling, du’a, and deep introspection are indispensable. Do not pressure yourself for immediate answers. Simply be honest with yourself.
2. Test the Waters.
There is no need to resign tomorrow. You may explore slowly:
Take a short online course in a subject you are curious about.
Shadow a friend who holds a role you admire.
Participate in a weekend hackathon or a design sprint.
These small experiments will allow you to “try on” new directions without committing to them completely.
3. Build Your Bridge Before You Cross It.
Before leaving your current position, begin to accumulate small successes:
Develop a project in your desired field to showcase your new skills.
Join online communities where professionals in your target role gather.
Seek out micro-mentorship—a brief fifteen-minute coffee chat with someone who is doing what you aspire to do.
The purpose of this exercise is to de-risk the pivot itself.
4. Take the First Brave Step.
At some point, exploration can transform into avoidance. You will feel the tension, the pull between staying in a familiar place and commencing something new. This is the moment you must act.
Submit the application. Send the email. Say yes to the opportunity.
For it is a truth universally acknowledged that clarity does not come from thinking. Clarity comes from doing.
If I may ask…
What is one small experiment you can undertake this week?
Who can you reach out to for guidance today?
If you fast-forwarded ten years, would your future self thank your present self for staying… or for pivoting?
YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE.
Career pivots are not just challenging because of the work involved. They are challenging because of the accompanying sense of isolation.
You may feel as though you are the only one questioning your path. Everyone else appears so certain. Everyone else seems to have it all figured out.
They do not.
Thousands of Muslim tech professionals are asking the very same questions you are right now about identity, faith, purpose, and career. This is precisely why we established the Muslim Tech Expo.
It is not merely an event. It is a vital strategic alliance built for this precise moment in your career. It is a gathering of people who understand the struggle and the beauty of the pivot. You will find mentors who have successfully navigated such transitions and peers who can offer invaluable counsel and support.
We invite you to join us. Your next career move may well be your most impactful yet.
Ready to start your pivot?
Get Your Ticket: Be in the room where your next opportunity awaits. Get your ticket here
Your Pivot Point does not have to be a lonely journey.
I leave you with this prayer…🌿
“Ya Allah, guide our steps when the road feels unclear. Grant us clarity when confusion clouds our hearts. Bless our work with barakah, and make our careers a means of pleasing You. Surround us with people who lift us closer to You, and make every pivot a step toward our ultimate purpose. Ameen.”
Assalaamu’alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh, have a beautiful week ahead!
— The MTE Team.