---
name: career-pivot-roadmap
description: |
  Builds a dated, milestone-based career pivot roadmap covering skill gap analysis,
  credential requirements, portfolio plan, networking targets, and timeline. Produces
  a complete action plan document with specific dates and measurable milestones.
  Use when the user wants to change careers, transition to a new field, plan a career
  switch, or build a roadmap for entering a different industry.
  Do NOT use for job search strategy within the same field (use job-search-strategy),
  resume rewriting for a career change (use career-change-resume), or skill learning
  plans for professional development without a career change (use skill-gap-analysis).
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: foundry-skills
  version: "1.0.0"
  tags: "career planning goal-setting"
  category: "career-development"
  subcategory: "career-growth"
  depends: ""
  disclaimer: "none"
  difficulty: "intermediate"
---

# Career Pivot Roadmap

## When to Use

- User wants to change careers or transition to a new field
- User asks for a plan to pivot from one profession to another
- User wants a timeline for entering a different industry
- User needs a structured roadmap with milestones for a career switch
- User asks how long it will take to change careers and what steps are needed
- Do NOT use when: user wants to advance within the same career (use `promotion-case-builder`), user needs a resume rewritten for a career change (use `career-change-resume`), user wants general skill learning without a career change goal (use `skill-gap-analysis`)

## Process

1. **Gather pivot context.** Before building the roadmap, collect these required inputs:
   - Current role, industry, and years of experience
   - Target role and industry
   - Reason for the pivot (fulfillment, compensation, growth ceiling, industry decline, relocation)
   - Timeline urgency (immediately, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12+ months)
   - Financial runway (can they afford a gap, or must they transition while employed?)
   - Transferable skills the user already has
   - Known gaps or concerns about the transition

2. **Map transferable skills.** Identify skills from the current role that apply to the target role:
   - Hard skills that directly transfer (e.g., data analysis, project management, coding)
   - Soft skills that transfer (e.g., client management, stakeholder communication, leadership)
   - Domain knowledge that crosses over (e.g., healthcare industry knowledge for health tech)
   - Rate each transferable skill as strong, moderate, or weak for the target role
   - Identify which transferable skills to emphasize in positioning

3. **Identify skill gaps.** Compare the user's current skills against the target role requirements:
   - List 3-7 specific skills or knowledge areas the user lacks
   - For each gap, determine: is it a hard requirement or a nice-to-have?
   - For each gap, estimate time to achieve basic competence (weeks or months)
   - Prioritize gaps by: blocking (must have before applying) vs. growth (can learn on the job)

4. **Determine credential requirements.** Assess whether formal credentials are needed:
   - Required certifications for the target role (if any)
   - Degree requirements vs. demonstrated experience
   - Industry-specific licenses or clearances
   - Estimated cost and time for each credential
   - Whether alternative paths exist (bootcamps, portfolio, apprenticeships)

5. **Build the portfolio plan.** Define what evidence the user needs to demonstrate competence:
   - 2-4 portfolio pieces or projects that demonstrate target-role skills
   - For each piece: what it demonstrates, estimated completion time, complexity level
   - Whether volunteer work, freelance projects, or side projects can serve as portfolio evidence
   - How to present current-role achievements in target-role language

6. **Set networking targets.** Identify the specific people and communities to connect with:
   - 3-5 target companies or organizations
   - 2-3 professional communities, groups, or events to join
   - 5-10 individual outreach targets (people in the target role or hiring managers)
   - Informational interview goals (aim for 5-10 conversations)
   - Online presence adjustments (LinkedIn, portfolio site, relevant platforms)

7. **Assemble the dated roadmap.** Build a timeline with specific milestones:
   - Phase 1: Foundation (skill-building and credential work)
   - Phase 2: Evidence (portfolio creation and networking)
   - Phase 3: Positioning (resume, online presence, outreach)
   - Phase 4: Active transition (applications, interviews, offer negotiation)
   - Assign specific date ranges to each phase based on the user's timeline
   - Include weekly and monthly action items within each phase
   - Add checkpoint dates for progress review and plan adjustment

## Output Format

```
## Career Pivot Roadmap: [Current Role] to [Target Role]

**Prepared:** [Date]
**Target timeline:** [Start date] to [Target completion date]
**Financial approach:** [Transition while employed / Gap period / Part-time bridge]

---

### Transferable Skills Assessment

| Skill | Current Proficiency | Relevance to Target | Positioning Strategy |
|-------|-------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| [Skill 1] | [Strong/Moderate/Weak] | [High/Medium/Low] | [How to frame it] |
| [Skill 2] | [Strong/Moderate/Weak] | [High/Medium/Low] | [How to frame it] |
| [Skill 3] | [Strong/Moderate/Weak] | [High/Medium/Low] | [How to frame it] |

### Skill Gaps to Close

| Gap | Priority | Blocking? | Learning Path | Time Estimate |
|-----|----------|-----------|---------------|---------------|
| [Gap 1] | High | Yes | [Specific course/resource/method] | [X weeks] |
| [Gap 2] | High | Yes | [Specific course/resource/method] | [X weeks] |
| [Gap 3] | Medium | No | [Specific course/resource/method] | [X weeks] |

### Credential Requirements

| Credential | Required? | Cost Estimate | Time Estimate | Alternative Path |
|-----------|-----------|---------------|---------------|-----------------|
| [Cert/Degree 1] | [Required/Preferred/Optional] | [$X] | [X months] | [If any] |

### Portfolio Plan

| Project | Demonstrates | Estimated Time | Complexity |
|---------|-------------|----------------|------------|
| [Project 1] | [Target skill/competency] | [X weeks] | [Low/Med/High] |
| [Project 2] | [Target skill/competency] | [X weeks] | [Low/Med/High] |

### Networking Targets

**Companies:** [Company 1], [Company 2], [Company 3]
**Communities:** [Group 1], [Group 2]
**Informational interviews:** [X] target conversations by [Date]
**Online presence updates:** [Specific changes to make]

---

### Phase 1: Foundation ([Start Date] - [End Date])

**Goal:** Close blocking skill gaps and begin credential work

| Week | Action Item | Deliverable | Done? |
|------|------------|-------------|-------|
| Week 1-2 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |
| Week 3-4 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |
| Week 5-6 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |
| Week 7-8 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |

**Checkpoint:** [Date] -- Review skill progress, adjust timeline if needed

### Phase 2: Evidence ([Start Date] - [End Date])

**Goal:** Build portfolio and begin networking

| Week | Action Item | Deliverable | Done? |
|------|------------|-------------|-------|
| Week 1-2 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |
| Week 3-4 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |

**Checkpoint:** [Date] -- Portfolio review, networking progress check

### Phase 3: Positioning ([Start Date] - [End Date])

**Goal:** Update all materials and activate network

| Week | Action Item | Deliverable | Done? |
|------|------------|-------------|-------|
| Week 1-2 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |
| Week 3-4 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |

**Checkpoint:** [Date] -- Materials review, readiness assessment

### Phase 4: Active Transition ([Start Date] - [End Date])

**Goal:** Apply, interview, and land the target role

| Week | Action Item | Deliverable | Done? |
|------|------------|-------------|-------|
| Week 1-2 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |
| Week 3-4 | [Specific action] | [Measurable output] | [ ] |

**Checkpoint:** [Date] -- Application results review, strategy adjustment

---

### Risk Mitigation

| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|------|-----------|------------|
| [Risk 1] | [H/M/L] | [Specific action to reduce risk] |
| [Risk 2] | [H/M/L] | [Specific action to reduce risk] |

### Success Metrics

- [ ] [Measurable milestone 1 with date]
- [ ] [Measurable milestone 2 with date]
- [ ] [Measurable milestone 3 with date]
- [ ] [Final goal: land target role by date]
```

## Rules

1. Always produce a complete, dated roadmap with specific milestones -- never generic career change advice or tips
2. Every action item must have a specific date range, not vague timeframes like "soon" or "when ready"
3. NEVER recommend specific educational institutions, courses, or programs by name -- describe the type of learning needed and let the user choose the provider
4. Always include a financial approach section addressing how the user will sustain themselves during the transition
5. Skill gaps must be prioritized as blocking (must close before applying) vs. growth (can learn on the job) -- this distinction drives the timeline
6. Include checkpoint dates for progress review at least once per phase
7. The portfolio plan must contain specific project descriptions, not vague suggestions like "build some projects"
8. Networking targets must include both quantity goals (number of conversations) and specific types of contacts to pursue
9. If the user's timeline is unrealistic for the gap between current and target roles, flag this explicitly and propose an adjusted timeline with rationale
10. Always include a risk mitigation section addressing the top 2-3 risks specific to this particular pivot

## Edge Cases

- **No transferable skills identified:** Focus the roadmap heavily on Phase 1 (foundation). Extend the overall timeline. Recommend starting with adjacent roles that bridge the gap rather than attempting a direct leap. Identify 1-2 intermediate roles that build toward the target.
- **User cannot afford a career gap:** Structure all skill-building and portfolio work around evenings and weekends. Add 50-100% more time to each phase. Identify part-time, freelance, or contract opportunities in the target field that provide income while building experience.
- **Target field requires a specific degree:** Include the degree timeline in Phase 1 but also research whether alternative credentials (bootcamps, apprenticeships, portfolio-based hiring) are accepted by employers in the target field. Present both paths with time and cost comparisons.
- **User is pivoting due to industry decline:** Add urgency to the timeline. Prioritize the fastest viable path over the most thorough one. Identify roles that are hiring now in the target field that accept transferable skills, even if they are a step below the user's current seniority level.
- **Pivot within the same company:** Adjust the approach to emphasize internal networking, internal transfer processes, and internal project opportunities. Remove external job search activities and replace with internal visibility strategies and conversations with target-department leaders.

## Example

**Input:** "I'm a high school English teacher with 8 years of experience. I want to transition into UX writing or content design at a tech company. I'd like to do this within 12 months. I need to keep my teaching job until I have something lined up."

**Output:**

## Career Pivot Roadmap: High School English Teacher to UX Writer

**Prepared:** [Current date]
**Target timeline:** [Current month] to [Current month + 12]
**Financial approach:** Transition while employed -- all skill-building on evenings/weekends

---

### Transferable Skills Assessment

| Skill | Current Proficiency | Relevance to Target | Positioning Strategy |
|-------|-------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| Writing clarity and concision | Strong | High | Frame lesson materials as user-facing instructional content |
| Audience adaptation | Strong | High | Teaching diverse learners maps to writing for diverse user personas |
| Curriculum structure | Strong | Medium | Structuring learning paths parallels structuring user flows |
| Feedback and revision | Moderate | High | Editing student work maps to iterative content design |
| Empathy and user understanding | Strong | High | Understanding student needs maps to understanding user needs |

### Skill Gaps to Close

| Gap | Priority | Blocking? | Learning Path | Time Estimate |
|-----|----------|-----------|---------------|---------------|
| UX writing principles and patterns | High | Yes | Self-study of UX writing guides and pattern libraries | 6 weeks |
| Design tool proficiency (Figma) | High | Yes | Online tutorial and hands-on practice with personal projects | 4 weeks |
| UX research basics | Medium | No | Introductory course on user research methods | 3 weeks |
| Content design process | High | Yes | Study content design case studies and frameworks | 4 weeks |
| A/B testing and content metrics | Low | No | Can learn on the job -- study basics during Phase 2 | 2 weeks |

### Credential Requirements

| Credential | Required? | Cost Estimate | Time Estimate | Alternative Path |
|-----------|-----------|---------------|---------------|-----------------|
| UX writing certificate | Preferred | $500-2,000 | 2-3 months | Strong portfolio can substitute |
| UX design certification | Optional | $500-3,000 | 3-6 months | Not needed for UX writing specifically |

### Portfolio Plan

| Project | Demonstrates | Estimated Time | Complexity |
|---------|-------------|----------------|------------|
| Redesign error messages for a popular app | UX writing, user empathy, concision | 2 weeks | Low |
| Create onboarding flow copy for a fictional product | Content design process, flow writing | 3 weeks | Medium |
| Case study: rewrite a confusing settings page | Before/after analysis, user-centered thinking | 2 weeks | Medium |
| Volunteer UX writing for a nonprofit or open source project | Real-world experience, collaboration | 4 weeks | Medium |

### Networking Targets

**Companies:** 5 mid-size tech companies with dedicated UX writing teams
**Communities:** UX writing-focused online communities, local design meetup groups
**Informational interviews:** 8 target conversations by month 5
**Online presence updates:** LinkedIn headline updated to "English Teacher transitioning to UX Writing," portfolio site live by month 4

---

### Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)

**Goal:** Learn UX writing fundamentals and basic Figma proficiency

| Week | Action Item | Deliverable | Done? |
|------|------------|-------------|-------|
| Week 1-2 | Study UX writing patterns: buttons, error messages, tooltips, onboarding | Notes on 20+ UX writing patterns with examples | [ ] |
| Week 3-4 | Learn Figma basics: frames, text layers, auto-layout | Complete 3 Figma practice exercises | [ ] |
| Week 5-6 | Study content design process: research, strategy, writing, testing | Written summary of content design workflow | [ ] |
| Week 7-8 | Begin UX writing certificate program (evenings/weekends) | Module 1-2 completed | [ ] |
| Week 9-10 | Study 10 UX writing case studies from published portfolios | Analysis notes on each case study | [ ] |
| Week 11-12 | Complete first portfolio piece (error message redesign) | Published portfolio piece with before/after | [ ] |

**Checkpoint:** End of month 3 -- Can I explain UX writing principles and demonstrate Figma basics?

### Phase 2: Evidence (Months 4-6)

**Goal:** Build portfolio and start networking

| Week | Action Item | Deliverable | Done? |
|------|------------|-------------|-------|
| Week 1-3 | Create onboarding flow portfolio piece | Published case study with process documentation | [ ] |
| Week 4-5 | Complete settings page redesign portfolio piece | Published before/after case study | [ ] |
| Week 6-8 | Begin volunteer UX writing project | Active contribution with documented work | [ ] |
| Week 4-8 | Conduct 4 informational interviews with UX writers | Notes and follow-up connections from each | [ ] |
| Week 6 | Launch portfolio website with first 3 pieces | Live portfolio site with case studies | [ ] |

**Checkpoint:** End of month 6 -- Do I have 3+ portfolio pieces and 4+ industry conversations completed?

### Phase 3: Positioning (Months 7-9)

**Goal:** Update all career materials and activate network

| Week | Action Item | Deliverable | Done? |
|------|------------|-------------|-------|
| Week 1-2 | Rewrite resume with UX writing framing (use career-change-resume) | Completed resume targeting UX writer roles | [ ] |
| Week 2-3 | Write cover letter template for UX writing applications | Adaptable cover letter with teacher-to-UX narrative | [ ] |
| Week 3-4 | Update LinkedIn profile, headline, about section, and experience | Fully updated LinkedIn targeting UX writing | [ ] |
| Week 4-6 | Conduct 4 more informational interviews (total 8) | Expanded network with referral possibilities | [ ] |
| Week 6 | Add volunteer project to portfolio (4th piece) | Complete portfolio with 4 case studies | [ ] |

**Checkpoint:** End of month 9 -- Are resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn ready for applications?

### Phase 4: Active Transition (Months 10-12)

**Goal:** Apply, interview, and secure a UX writing role

| Week | Action Item | Deliverable | Done? |
|------|------------|-------------|-------|
| Week 1-2 | Apply to 10-15 UX writer/content designer roles | Submitted applications with tailored materials | [ ] |
| Week 2-4 | Prepare for UX writing exercises and portfolio reviews | Practice presenting 2 case studies in 15 minutes | [ ] |
| Week 3-8 | Continue applications (5-10 per week) | Running total of 30-50 applications | [ ] |
| Week 4-8 | Interview and complete design exercises | Interview notes and exercise submissions | [ ] |
| Week 8-12 | Evaluate offers and negotiate (use salary-negotiation-script) | Accepted offer with start date | [ ] |

**Checkpoint:** End of month 12 -- Offer accepted or strategy adjustment needed

---

### Risk Mitigation

| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|------|-----------|------------|
| Evenings/weekends insufficient for skill-building pace | Medium | Use school breaks (summer, winter) for intensive work; adjust timeline to 15 months if needed |
| Portfolio pieces feel too hypothetical without real UX experience | Medium | Prioritize the volunteer project for real-world credibility; seek freelance micro-projects |
| UX writer roles require 2+ years of experience | High | Target junior or associate UX writer roles; emphasize 8 years of professional writing experience as equivalent |

### Success Metrics

- [ ] UX writing fundamentals mastered by month 3
- [ ] 4 portfolio pieces published by month 8
- [ ] 8 informational interviews completed by month 9
- [ ] 30+ applications submitted by month 12
- [ ] UX writer or content designer role secured by month 12
