Embracing Change: Reflections on Career Transitions in Tech

3 MINS

# Embracing Change: Reflections on Career Transitions in Tech

Change is the only constant in the tech industry. Layoffs, reorganizations, and pivots have become part of the landscape. How we respond to these moments defines our trajectory far more than the moments themselves.

Recently, I experienced a workforce reduction—a challenging situation that led to parting ways with F5, a company where I had the privilege of working with talented colleagues and building meaningful products in cybersecurity.

Gratitude Over Bitterness

It's easy to focus on what's lost during transitions. But I've found more value in reflecting on what was gained:

Deep Expertise: Years of working on web application protection, API security, threat intelligence, and vulnerability management built a foundation that travels with me

Incredible Colleagues: The relationships forged while solving hard problems together outlast any single job

Growth Mindset: Every challenge navigated adds to the toolkit for future ones The experiences and knowledge accumulated don't disappear when a role ends—they compound.

Looking Forward

Career transitions, while difficult, often open doors we didn't know existed. They force reflection: What do I truly want to build? Where can I have the most impact?

For me, the answer lies at the intersection of Product Management and Cybersecurity—two fields that are increasingly critical as organizations navigate AI, digital transformation, and evolving threat landscapes.

Lessons for Fellow Professionals

If you're navigating a similar transition, here's what I've learned:

Stay Connected: Your network is your safety net. Reach out, share your story, and be open to conversations

Keep Learning: Use the time to deepen skills or explore adjacent areas—GenAI, LLMs, and emerging security paradigms offer rich territory

Trust the Process: The right opportunity finds those who stay prepared and persistent Change isn't the end of a chapter—it's the beginning of the next one.

Pradeep skipped presentations and built real AI products.

Pradeep Reddy K. was part of the August 2025 cohort at Curious PM, alongside 15 other talented participants.