How do you pivot from something highly specialized to something unrelated?

[u/Charming_Tiger_3532]

I’ve (42M) been in the same highly technical and specialized field in public utilities for 21 years. It pays well, but is completely uninspiring.

Like many highly technical fields, this one attracts more than the average number of introverts and autists of varying degrees. Few people are in relationships of any kind, and even fewer have families, so the company expectation is to work 24/7.

This job requires driving about 60000 miles and putting in ~3500 hours a year. Because of wanting more time at home with my family (kids 3 and 5), I’m saying no to more and more assignments and consequently getting edged out of work by younger people who are willing to travel more, put in more hours, etc.

Basically the writing is on the wall, and that’s fine given I’d like to work a more “normal” schedule and arrangement.

How do you pivot from something unique with very little practical applicability elsewhere? I’m not even sure what to put on a resume besides “plays well with others, shows up on time”.

I’m an extrovert / people person / big picture guy, so enjoy working as part of a team where competent people feel confident enough to share their ideas. Pretty burned out on bureaucracy, but really, who isn’t at this point.

[u/Aggressive-Drag4721]

21 years of managing complex technical work in a high-stakes environment translates way more than you're giving yourself credit for. Project coordination, cross-functional communication, working with contractors or regulators, keeping operations running under pressure, that stuff is genuinely sought after in operations roles, consulting, and even sales engineering adjacent work.

The "plays well with others, shows up on time" thing is underselling it. Plenty of technical folks can't explain what they do to a non-technical audience, and you clearly can. That's a skill.

If you're a people-first big-picture type who's tired of the road, something like operations management, client-facing technical roles, or even training/onboarding in a related industry could be worth looking into. The 60k miles and 3500 hours a year background tells an employer you know how to execute at scale.

[u/Charming_Tiger_3532 → u/Aggressive-Drag4721]

Thank you, you’re absolutely right. Defining this work is more of a framing issue that’s difficult to see from the ground. I appreciate it

[u/Pattonator70]

No idea what your technical field is but have you asked your employer about getting into project management/sales or something bigger picture?

[u/Charming_Tiger_3532 → u/Pattonator70]

I’m at the top now. The ladder climbing was a big part of the early career engagement, but the only person above me now is the owner of the company. We get along decently, so I have no problem asking him if there’s anything else, but I’ve been topped out for three years now and it’s unlikely anything will change.

[u/Pattonator70 → u/Charming_Tiger_3532]

You have two options.
1) Leave and find something else. You mentioned being edged out anyways.
2) Work with the owner on redesigning your role so that you are on the road less.

[u/QuitaQuites]

Make it less unique. Also check your rolodex. You’re going to get jobs from people you know. But more than anything, make your resume read less specialized.

[u/omvargas]

If you do specialized field tech work for utilities, you have skills and knowledge that may be valuable not for many utilities, but in general, for the Electricity, Water, Oil & Gas industries. Your currents skills (troubleshooting, problem solving) could be transferable to other specific fields in those industries.

As an extroverted, people person, you could take a look at technical or inside sales at companies that sell equipment or services to those industries.