In this 2-part series, I’m using the keynote I created for the BLEND conference as a foundation to discuss what’s wrong with tech careers and what we can do to fix them. In Part 1, I dove into the problems we’re facing and shared some good news. In this Part 2, let’s debunk some career myths and embrace our new reality. And in Part 3, I’ll look at how you can leverage your superpowers, while also coming to terms with a few limitations!

Part 2: Debunking Career Myths & Embracing Realities

Table of Contents

1. 🪜 Myth: I’m on a career ladder
2. 👼 Myth: If I do good work, I’ll be noticed
3. 👩‍🎓 Myth: The Right Credentials Will Save Me
4. 🧍🏽‍♀️ Myth: I Have to Do It Alone

🪜 Myth: I’m on a career ladder

We are still living in what’s left of the industrial age. And one of the continuing myths is that of the ONE company and ONE career ladder. Work was structured around factories, assembly lines, hierarchy, and predictability. We haven’t shed the mindset that you ‘stay in your lane,’ put in the years, and eventually earn promotions, pensions, and maybe even a retirement watch. But that world is gone, never to come back. We live in an age of competition, limited resources, massive change, and unpredictability. Career ladders don’t exist. Yet education and our inner narrative lie to us and make us think we are still on a rung, making our way upward.

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Instead:
Treat your career like a design project, not a climb. Lead with curiosity and ask yourself:

• What do I seem to do well naturally and easily?
• What do I want to build next?
• What skill do I want to develop?
• Who do I want to become?

👼 Myth: If I do good work, I’ll be noticed

Being “head down” might have worked in school—do the work, get the grade. But in your career, that mindset can hold you back.

Most managers don’t even know the full extend of what you’re doing. According to Gallup 2025 report, only 1 in 3 are engaged at work. Your manager is likely overwhelmed, burned out, and unsure how to lead you while she considers her own career.

So your best work? It’s invisible and you are resentment when no one notices.

If you’re not telling your story, no one else is.
And if they are, they might get it wrong.

This isn’t about bragging—it’s about turning effort into visible impact. Instead, reflect on:

• What changed because of my work?
• Who benefited?
• What problems did I solve?

Instead:
Build a storytelling muscle. Translate effort into impact. That doesn’t mean talking about yourself—it means helping others see the value of your work.

Share your wins regularly—in retros, async updates, one-on-ones, or lunch & learns. You’re not stealing the spotlight. You’re flipping the switch so people can actually see what’s happening.

You’re being helpful. So help people know that!

In my coaching sessions, I often share simple frameworks to make this easier—ways to take yourself out of the equation and focus on what changed because of your work. The goal isn’t self-promotion. It’s clarity.

👩‍🎓 Myth: The Right Credentials Will Save Me

“I just need that MBA.”
“If I get this certification, I’ll finally be qualified.”
“If I finish this course, then I’ll be ready.”

Sound familiar?

Many of us collect credentials as a way to feel in control. It’s a deeply ingrained reflex—school rewarded us for checking boxes, so we assume our careers will too. But today’s workplace is more disorganized and political. Your credentials don’t always equate to better jobs.

✅ Instead: Be intentional before committing to more education. What is your intention:

• What problem am I trying to solve? Is this addressing a real skills gap—or masking discomfort with uncertainty? Look for proof to know that you are being held back because of the lack of a certain credential
• How will this credential change how others perceive me? Not all letters after your name lead to better roles, higher pay, or greater influence. Do your research—talk to hiring managers and people who already hold the credentials you're considering. Ask how, if at all, their careers actually changed after earning them.
• Will more education help me grow or will it help me feel “enough”?Sometimes, we chase credentials when what we’re really seeking is confidence. Before enrolling in anything, talk to people who know you well—both professionally and personally—to help validate what you’re truly missing right now.

Sometimes the “qualification” we’re chasing is really just a sense of legitimacy. A way to feel allowed.

But what permission are you looking for? From whom? It might need to start with you.

If learning lights you up—great. But don’t let the pursuit of more credentials delay the real work:
Getting clear on who you are, what you want, and what you’re capable of today. You might be able to learn what you need at your job - just expand your job description, with or without permission 😀

🧍🏽‍♀️ Myth: I Have to Do It Alone

Hyper-individualism is baked into our careers. We are taught to be ‘strong’ and rise to the challenge. To fake it till we know it. To brave it alone. But the truth is, we are stronger with others, when we have the courage to lead and be vulnerable. When we lead with curiosity and learn with others. To not know and learn is better than to not know and make it up. So involve others. Research shows that teams who collaborate effectively are five times more likely to be high-performing.

Instead:
Curate your career circle. This could be:

• A group chat
• A coach
• A “personal board of directors”

You don’t need a huge network—just a few people who get you. In my first post in this series, I talked about building a Personal Board of Directors — a small, trusted group who can offer perspective, challenge your assumptions, and support your growth.

I’d love to continue this conversation with you. Add me on Substack, and let’s navigate this chaotic career landscape together. If you are trying to figure out what’s next for your career, or need help understanding and working on your leadership skills, hit me up!