The Biggest Mistake I Made When Changing Careers—And How to Avoid It

Stop overthinking, start moving forward.

Hey Aspiring Regulatory Medical Writer,

The other day, I caught myself overcomplicating something in my business—something that should have been simple.

I was overthinking a decision, going back and forth on tiny details, and questioning whether I was making the right call. Instead of trusting my instincts, I let doubt creep in and wasted way too much time trying to make it “perfect.”

It reminded me of how I felt when I was first trying to break into regulatory medical writing. At the time, I wasn’t sure if I was qualified.

I overthought every step.

I hesitated to put myself out there.

But looking back, the real mistake wasn’t my lack of experience—it was the way I let doubt slow me down.

If you’re working toward a career shift, I want to help you avoid some of the common pitfalls I see clinicians make:

✅ Do: Focus on transferable skills. Your background is valuable.
❌ Don’t: Assume you need a brand-new degree. Positioning matters more than another credential.

✅ Do: Start building your resume early. The sooner you start, the sooner you get clarity on your next steps.
❌ Don’t: Wait until you feel “fully ready.” You learn by doing, not by waiting for the perfect moment.

✅ Do: Connect with industry professionals. The best opportunities come through networking and referrals.
❌ Don’t: Rely on cold applications. I’ve never landed a job that way—every opportunity I’ve had came through connections.

I’d love to hear from you.

Which one of these do’s and don’ts resonates with you the most?

Hit reply and let me know what you’re working on—or which mistake you want to avoid most. I read every response.

Talk soon,

Keagen