The Honest Truth About Career Pivots
Article #131 of Life Unlocked - A newsletter by Dr Yath Prem, MD
Dear Friends,
I often get asked how I made the leap from clinical medicine to health-tech.
More often than not, the question comes from people who are at a crossroads — doctors who have a few options in mind but feel stuck. They’re weighing up consulting vs. pharma, startups vs. NHS leadership, and waiting for a sign to tell them which is the “right” one.
Here’s the truth: there is no perfect pivot.
There’s no single path that guarantees clarity, fulfilment, or success. The only way you figure out what’s right is by doing. You take a step, you learn from it, and if it’s not working, you pivot again.
That’s not a failure, that’s how you grow.
For me, I got lucky. My first pivot from clinical practice into health-tech landed me in a role I loved. I found meaning in the mission, worked with brilliant people, and had the kind of autonomy that made me excited to show up. So I’ve doubled down, I pivoted within the company into an even more exciting role that aligned more with me clinical ambitions and allowed me to work more closely in clinical product development, a space that I’ve grown to love.
But if I hadn’t liked it? I would have moved on.
Big pharma and consulting were both on my radar, and I would’ve explored one of those. The point is you won’t think your way into the perfect answer. You have to do your way into it.
So if you’re at the crossroads deciding where to pivot, weighing options multiple options, and overthinking the "right" move, here’s my advice:
Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress.
Take the step. Reflect. Adjust. Repeat.
Build a career through iterative design. Stay agile.
Have a great week,
Dr. Yath Prem, MD
Quote of the week:
Your mind is like a puppy. If you don’t train it, it will sh*t everywhere!
— Maya Raichoora (Visualise)
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