Feeling stuck in a job that leaves you unfulfilled? You’re not alone. According to a 2024 Gallup report, 80% of the global workforce feels disengaged at work. With this trend looking to continue into 2026, some are considering a change in career, seeking more fulfilling and engaging roles. Good news! Career pivots are commonplace at Publicis Sapient. Over the course of the new year, we will share stories of our people who have successfully changed careers. They’ll give real insights into the highs and lows of taking such a leap along with key words of wisdom to help guide you in your own career pivot journey.
In 2016, Chelsie Backer was an Executive Assistant supporting executive directors and VP’s. Some may assume the job of an Executive Assistant is all about managing schedules and strictly limited to various administrative tasks. For Chelsie, that was far from her reality. She dove into tasks beyond her job description responsibilities, embracing challenges head-on. She prided herself in going above and beyond in her role and stretched her skill sets across a variety of projects. However, she knew that her role would only take her so far. Chelsie began to think about a new challenge that would set her off on a career trajectory that she hadn’t thought of before. Chelsie had been supporting [insert exec title] when they transitioned to the Martech practice. In that transition, Chelsie had the opportunity to involve herself in special projects within that area of the business. Little did she know, this would be the beginning of her transition into a full-time team member in a role she helped to create.
Executives began asking Chelsie if she was wanting to transition into a new role within Martech given how well she’d done with the projects she was given. It was something Chelsie hadn’t considered before and it took her time to really think about what that would look like and what it would mean for her. One of the most intriguing parts of Chelsie’s journey was crafting a role that didn’t even exist yet and that was a big part of what gave her pause when thinking about taking the next step towards a change. She was concerned that she would pigeon-hole herself and limit future opportunities. However, when she dove into researching responsibilities and skills in the marketplace that aligned with what she was being asked to do, she uncovered similar roles across the marketplace. This put her at ease and she was able to write her own job description! And just like that, Chelsie went from Executive Assistant to Martech Alliance Manager for Adobe.
With change comes excitement but also fear and discomfort. "The shift from something familiar to something unpredictable was daunting and a big reason why I took so long to decide to make a career change. When I finally made the choice to jump, there were definitely highs and lows.” A vivid memory that stands out for Chelsie, is being responsible for assisting in the planning of the Adobe Summit. “I felt an immense pressure and had a serious moment of doubt,” she recalls. “Assisting in developing a Summit presence in Las Vegas to result in revenue was unlike any stress I’d experienced.” Chelsie leaned into her skills and the strong relationships within her network during those early months of her job change. “I really learned the value of building strong relationships and rapport with senior leaders and I relied on the skills I had to give me confidence. I also asked a ton of questions so that I really understood the ins and outs of what I was doing and why.”
Now, two years later, Chelsie’s view of her future is different than it was before making her career pivot. “Career shifts aren’t always about starting over. Often they’re about redirecting strengths into a space where they’re recognized and amplified.” She emphasizes the importance of self-confidence, especially as a woman in the workplace. “I wish I had advocated for myself sooner and had more confidence in my transferable skills. You never know what’s out there unless you take the leap.”
For anyone eyeing that next career move, perhaps your dream role doesn’t exist yet, and like Chelsie, you may just be the pioneer who creates it. Take time to research, network and learn about what’s out there. You may uncover something you didn’t’ know existed and make it your new reality.
